‘Mere band-aid’: Congress alleges Modi government’s GST reforms are inadequate

The Congress on Sunday alleged that the revamped Goods and Services Tax system that will come into effect from September 22 is a “mere band-aid”, and that the reforms are inadequate.

The new GST system, which will entail a primarily two-rate structure of 5% and 18% tax slabs, will take effect on September 22 for most items. The GST Council had cleared the new slab structure on September 3.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the GST reforms will “accelerate India’s growth story” and enhance the ease of doing business. He claimed that the new system would lead to a “festival of savings” for citizens.

However, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said that the Modi government should seek an apology from citizens.

“Instead of the Congress's simple and efficient GST, your government imposed a ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ in the form of nine separate slabs, and collected more than Rs 55 lakh crore in eight years,” the Congress president said on social media. “Now, by talking about a Rs 2.5 lakh crore ‘savings festival’, you are seeking to apply a mere band-aid after inflicting deep wounds on the public.”

Kharge said that citizens “will never forget” how the government taxed essentials such as foodgrains, healthcare and farm equipment.

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