'Live long & healthy baby GST', wishes Vasundhara Raje to July 1-born girl named after the tax

Image: PTI/Representational

Koriya (Chhattisgarh): In an unusual and bizarre instance, parents from Chhattisgarh's Koriya district have named their daughter 'GST' after the launch of India's biggest tax reform as she was born on July 1. Speaking to ANI, father Jagdish Prasad, said, "The day Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Goods and Service Tax (GST) reform as a tax revolution on July 1, my daughter was born. So I could not hold my excitement and named her GST to make this day a memorable one." Jagdish's wife was admitted in a government hospital following labour pains around 8 a.m. in the morning. The enthusiastic villagers are coming in large numbers to see the new born. The family is happily stating that the father has never received such fame ever. Only after the birth of his daughter is he being recognised in the village. Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje also wished the baby good health on Twitter.

Live long & healthy Baby GST! ☺️ https://t.co/7gz8cOLVdL

— Vasundhara Raje (@VasundharaBJP) July 2, 2017

About Goods and Services Tax (GST): GST is an indirect tax applicable throughout India which replaced multiple cascading taxes levied by the central and state governments. GST was introduced as The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act 2017, following the passage of Constitution 122nd Amendment Bill and is governed by a GST Council and its Chairman is the Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. Under GST, goods and services are taxed at the following rates, 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% and there is a special rate of 0.25% on rough precious and semi-precious stones and 3% on gold. In addition, a cess of 15% or other rates on top of 28% GST applies on few items like aerated drinks, luxury cars and tobacco products.