"Modi government's GST a brutal tool of economic injustice, corporate cronyism": Rahul Gandhi
The Congress leader alleged that the GST rolled out by the government was designed to 'punish the poor, crush MSMEs, undermine states, and benefit a few billionaire friends of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.'
'A 'Good and Simple Tax' was promised. Instead, India got a compliance nightmare and a five-slab tax regime that has been amended over 900 times. Even caramel popcorn and cream buns are caught in its web of confusion. The bureaucratic maze favours big corporates who can navigate its loopholes with armies of accountants, while small shopkeepers, MSMEs, and ordinary traders drown in red tape,' he said in a post on X.
'The GST portal remains a source of daily harassment. MSMEs - India's largest job creators have suffered the most. Over 18 lakh enterprises have shut down since the rollout of GST eight years ago. Citizens now pay GST on everything from tea to health insurance, while corporates enjoy over Rs one lakh crore in tax breaks annually,' he added.
He said Petrol and diesel have been deliberately kept outside the GST framework, hurting farmers, transporters, and ordinary people.
'GST dues are also weaponised to punish non-BJP ruled states - clear proof of the Modi government's anti-federal agenda. GST was a visionary idea by the UPA, meant to unify India's markets and simplify taxation. But its promise has been betrayed by poor implementation, political bias, and bureaucratic overreach,' he said.
Rahul Gandhi, who is Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, said a reformed GST must be people-first, business-friendly, and truly federal in spirit.
'India deserves a tax system that works for all, not just the privileged few, so that every Indian, from the small shopkeeper to the farmer, can be a stakeholder in our nation's progress,' he said. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
19 minutes ago
- Time of India
Quad condemns Pahalgam attack, seeks action against perpetrators but no mention of any terror group
The Quad foreign ministers strongly condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack in a joint statement, calling for the perpetrators, organisers and financiers of the 'reprehensible act' to be brought to justice without any delay. It also urged all UN States to cooperate with 'all relevant authorities' in this regard, without naming Pakistan or India. In his opening remarks at the meeting in Washington, external affairs minister S Jaishankar had said India expected Quad – a strategic grouping of leading maritime nations committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific – to understand and appreciate India's right to defend its citizens from cross-border terrorism. This was the first Quad ministerial since the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the subsequent India-Pakistan conflict that ended with India's bombing of Pakistan air bases. 'We condemn in the strongest terms the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which claimed the lives of 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen, while injuring several others,' said the Quad statement, expressing deepest condolences to the families of the victims. The UN Security Council (UNSC) statement condemning the attack in April seemed to have acted as a template for the Quad, the former having urged UN States to cooperate with all relevant authorities – without specifically mentioning India - in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSC resolutions. Like with the UNSC condemnation, there was also no mention of the perpetrator group – The Resistance Front (TRF) – in the Quad statement. As a non-permanent Council member, Pakistan had worked to water down the UNSC statement with support from Beijing. 'We call for the perpetrators, organizers, and financiers of this reprehensible act to be brought to justice without any delay and urge all UN Member States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant UNSCRs, to cooperate actively with all relevant authorities in this regard,' added the Quad statement. Like in the past, the Quad ministerial unequivocally condemned all acts of terrorism and violent extremism in all its forms and manifestations, including cross-border terrorism, renewing commitment to counterterrorism cooperation. Apart from India, Quad comprises the US, Australia and Japan, all of which had separately condemned the Pahalgam terrorist attack. India, however, was keen that Quad do so in a joint statement for a more impactful response to Pakistan's role in the attack and its support for cross-border terrorism. It was a fair expectation, given Quad's strong condemnation of cross-border terrorism in the past too, like after the foreign ministers' meeting in Tokyo last year in July. On that occasion, Quad had strongly condemned 26/11 Mumbai and Pathankot attacks, calling for bringing the perpetrators of these attacks to justice without delay, and naming UN-proscribed groups including Pakistan-based JeM and LeT for concerted action against them by the international community. There was no mention this time of any Pakistan terror group or the Mumbai and Pathankot attacks in the Quad statement.
Hindustan Times
21 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
PM Modi's historic Ghana visit: Trade doubled, UPI goes global, 4 MoUs signed
Jul 03, 2025 01:19 AM IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Ghana's Accra on Wednesday, marking the first visit by an Indian PM to the African country in over 30 years. As he stepped onto Ghanaian soil, PM Modi was greeted with chants of 'Hare Rama Hare Krishna.' Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora on Wednesday at the Kempinski Hotel in Accra.(DPR PMO ) The Indian Prime Minister was personally received by President John Mahama, who presented him with a ceremonial guard of honour. Later, PM Modi held a delegation-level meeting with President Mahama at Jubilee House in Accra. PM Modi's visit was steeped in symbolism, powerful quotes, and warm gestures that underscored the deep-rooted friendship between the two nations. PM Modi's Ghana visit: Top quotes "We were unanimous that terrorism is the enemy of humanity. We thank Ghana for its cooperation in our fight against terrorism. We have decided to strengthen our cooperation in counter-terrorism. Our views regarding the UN reforms are similar," said PM Modi after talks with Ghana's President Mahama. "We believe that this is not the time for a war. Problems must be solved through dialogue and diplomacy," PM Modi said. "In the field of defence and security, we will move forward with the mantra of 'Security through Solidarity' "India is not just a partner but a co-traveller in Ghana's journey of nation-building," PM Modi said. "Our bilateral trade has crossed USD 3 billion. Indian companies have invested 2 billion dollars in around 900 projects. We have decided to double our trade within the next 5 years. In the area of FinTech, Bharat UPI will share the digital payment experience with Ghana," PM Modi said. "It is a matter of pride for India that under our G20 presidency, the African Union got permanent membership of the G20," the Prime Minister said. India signs 4 MoUs with Ghana: Details India and Ghana on Wednesday inked four agreements following talks between PM Narendra Modi and Ghana's President John Dramani Mahama. MoU on Cultural Exchange Programme (CEP): To promote greater cultural understanding and exchanges in art, music, dance, literature, and heritage. To promote greater cultural understanding and exchanges in art, music, dance, literature, and heritage. MoU between Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and Ghana Standards Authority (GSA): Aimed at enhancing cooperation in standardisation, certification, and conformity assessment. Aimed at enhancing cooperation in standardisation, certification, and conformity assessment. MoU between the Institute of Traditional & Alternative Medicine (ITAM), Ghana and the Institute of Teaching & Research in Ayurveda (ITRA), India : To collaborate in traditional medicine education, training, and research. : To collaborate in traditional medicine education, training, and research. MoU on Joint Commission Meeting: To institutionalise high-level dialogue and review bilateral cooperation mechanisms on a regular basis.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Amazon is shutting down the app of free streaming service Freevee
Amazon will shut down its standalone Freevee app in August 2025, redirecting users to access its free, ad-supported content on Prime Video, according to an in-app notice. The move consolidates Amazon's streaming services, integrating Freevee's library of movies, TV shows, and live TV into the Prime Video platform. 'Prime Video is the new exclusive home for Freevee TV shows, movies, and Live TV,' the notice reads. 'The Freevee app will be accessible until August 2025. Continue watching your favorite Free Originals and our library of hit movies, shows, and live TV on Prime Video for free, no subscription needed.' Amazon first announced plans to phase out Freevee's branding in November 2024, emphasizing that the transition would not affect content availability. Prime members will continue to access the same offerings, while non-Prime members can still enjoy free content, including Amazon MGM Studios Originals, licensed movies, series, and FAST Channels, all on Prime Video. The decision reflects Amazon's strategy to streamline its streaming services by centralizing content on a single platform. Freevee, launched in 2019 as IMDb TV and rebranded in 2022, operates in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Austria. Popular Freevee originals, such as the Emmy-nominated 'Jury Duty,' 'Bosch: Legacy,' and 'Neighbours,' are now available in Prime Video's 'Watch for Free' section. Users are encouraged to download the Prime Video app and sign in with their Amazon account to continue accessing Freevee's content seamlessly. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
