Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday hit out at the government over GST rates, and said a single, low tax rate would help reduce the burden on the poor and middle class. Highlighting that the GST rate on diamonds is at 1.5 percent, while that on health insurance was 18 percent and hospital rooms was five percent, he dubbed the GST as “Gabbar Singh Tax” and said it shows who the prime minister cares for.
“GST on Health Insurance: 18 percent. GST on Hospital Room: 5 percent. GST on Diamonds: 1.5 percent. ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ is a painful reminder of who the PM cares for,” he said on Twitter.
5 years of GST: Challenges and way forward
GST was initiated as the ‘One nation one tax’ on July 1, 2017. States were assured compensation for loss of any revenue arising on account of implementation of GST for 5 years. This year the option comes to a close unless extended by the GST Council. Divyesh Lapsiwala of Ernst & Young talks about 5 years of GST implementation and its way forward….