GST: Congress Calls It ‘Gabbar Sitharaman Tax’ Amid Fresh Criticism

Congress leader Pawan Khera, without a shadow of a doubt, came up with a jab at the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, now calling the GST "Gabbar Sitharaman Tax". That stings!…

By Reetam Bodhak

January 10, 2025

3 min read

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Congress leader Pawan Khera, without a shadow of a doubt, came up with a jab at the Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, now calling the GST “Gabbar Sitharaman Tax”. That stings! This quip has made people engaged in conversations again about the local community Joes, the farmers that are the real bread earners, and the small operators that are scraping to make a living, and how they are hit by the GST.

Why the ‘Gabbar’ Nickname?

Obviously, this is a rhetorical question, isn’t it, Mr. Khera, who is Khera, of course? He seems to be saying that this tax is causing trouble for everyone, i.e. the shopkeepers, the ordinary citizens and even our farmers. For example, that, for which Mr. Khera says, a tax which was ought to eradicate the complication done with it and became a headache instead after 90 months. One thing that annoys him is that new rules are still being invented even after 90 months.

The Good, The Bad, and The Confusing

But there, indeed, isn’t. The GST collections are actually increasing with time. Last December, they even made it up to 1.76 crore rupees! Yet, at the end of the day, there still remain certain drawbacks – such as, jewelry, cosmetics, etc. They have been calling for a tax cut, trusting the government will give them a break at the financial dieted budget meeting.

What’s Next for GST?

As the general public keeps its eyes on the upcoming Union budget, which will set off in 2025, the question arises: Will the government dare to make complete alterations in the GST to accommodate the interest of both businesses and consumers? Or will it keep the gambling going on? It is indeed a game of tax hold’em!

By the way, here is the last episode of the GST story! It has even more twists and turns than Bollywood interviews. No matter whether you believe it’s a game-changer or the pain is in the wallet, it will be a fact that it will keep our politicians and economists running around!

FAQs

1. Why is GST being called ‘Gabbar Sitharaman Tax’?

Congress leader Pawan Khera coined the term to criticize the GST system, claiming it has become overly complex and burdensome for middle-class families, farmers, and small traders. He argued that the tax, which was meant to simplify taxation, has instead become “heartless” and difficult to navigate.

2. What are the key concerns about GST?

Critics have raised concerns about GST’s multiple tax slabs, frequent changes, and compliance challenges. Industries like gems and jewellery have also urged the government to reduce GST rates to ease their financial burden. Additionally, Congress has accused the government of relying too heavily on the middle class for tax revenues.