GST rate cut on anvil as Rahul Gandhi rechristens Gabbar Singh Tax to 'Grand Stupid Thought'

From ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ to Congress’ ‘Grand Stupid Thought’, the opposition has rechristened the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after Narendra Modi announced a GST rate.

Narendra Modi announced a GST rate cut in the upcoming GST Council meeting. (Image: PTI)

GST Rate Cut: From ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ to Congress’ ‘Grand Stupid Thought’, the opposition has rechristened the Goods and Services Tax (GST) after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a GST rate cut in the upcoming GST Council meeting slated for tomorrow i.e. Saturday 22 nd December 2018, wherein the PM indicated to bring in 99% items under the Sub-18% GST Slab. “Today, the GST system has been established to a large extent and we are working towards a position where 99 per cent things will attract the sub-18 per cent GST slab,” announced PM on Tuesday. The PM indicated that 28% GST slab will be restricted to sin goods, luxury items and few other goods only. “In earlier days, the GST was framed according to the existing VAT or excise tax structures exercised in those respective states. (With) the discussions held from time to time, the tax system is getting improved,” stated Modi. Citing the need of GST to bring in transparency in the economy and curb corruption the PM said, “Corruption had been taken as a new normal in India. It was ‘Chalta hai’. Whenever anyone used to speak up, someone would say, ‘This is India. This is how it is.” While the Prime Minister’s announcement brings the hope of cheaper goods for the common man, the opposition was quick to take a swipe and referred to it as centre’s ‘belated wisdom’. Commenting on GST Rate Cut announcement, Ex Finmin P Chidambaram stated, “Government says 99% of goods will be at 18 per cent GST. Belated wisdom. We should have started with 18 per cent as a standard rate. Having scrambled the egg needlessly when GST was introduced, Government is trying to unscramble it!” From electronics like air conditioners, refrigerators, digital cameras, washing machines, to automobile tyres, there are a lot of items that if moved under the sub-18% GST slab, will bring in a sigh of relief for the common man while surging the sales of these items and boosting the economy in return. “We constantly believe that GST must be as simple as possible and we are also working constantly in that direction,” Modi assured in his GST Rate Cut address.