• Source:JND
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Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of masking eight years of what he called “economic wounds”. This remark came shortly after PM Modi hailed the reduction in GST rates as the start of a "GST Utsav," describing the move as a "double bonanza" for families already benefitting from the income tax exemptions.

PM Modi’s remarks quickly drew criticism from the opposition parties, with the opposition leader from Congress and Trinamool Congress criticising him for taking ‘undue credit’ for lowering GST rates that were taken by consensus within the GST council.

ALSO READ: PM Modi Hails GST 2.0 As ‘Bachat Utsav’; Congress Hits Back With Allegations Of Gobbling Up More Than Rs 55 lakh Cr In 8 Years

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Kharge wrote, “Instead of the simple and efficient GST of the Congress party, your government imposed the 'Gabbar Singh Tax' by collecting 9 different slabs and collected over Rs 55 lakh crore in eight years. Now you are talking about a Rs 2.5 lakh crore 'savings festival' and applying a simple band-aid after inflicting deep wounds on the public!”

“The public will never forget that you collected GST on their pulses, rice, grains, pencils, books, medical treatment, farmers' tractors-everything. Your government should apologise to the public!” he added.

Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused PM Modi of taking undue credit for decisions which her state suggested despite suffering a Rs 20,000 crore loss in revenue.

“We are losing Rs 20,000 crore as revenue, but we are happy about the lowering of GST. But why are you (Modi) claiming credit for it? We had sought a lowered GST. It was our suggestion at the GST Council meeting with the Union Finance Minister,” Mamata Banerjee said.

ALSO READ: Centre Taking Undue Credit For Lowering GST Rates; Move Was Initiated By State, Says Mamata Banerjee

Highlighting the launch of GST reforms, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the Prime Minister’s address to the nation delivered important and forward-looking messages. However, the opposition party responded with negativity and baseless criticism. 

 

“Marking the commencement of the #NextGenGST as #GSTBachatUtsav PM @narendramodi ji's address to the nation had several messages. Unfortunate, that despite a positive and direction-setting address, our opposition party @INCIndia and its SM eco-system spread negativity and baseless criticism. #NextGenGST is a people-centric reform,” Sitharaman said in a post on X.