Ex PM Manmohan Singh presents award to Arun Jaitley for enacting GST, BJP takes a jibe at Rahul Gandhi
As the Lok Sabha election is approaching, BJP has taken a jibe at Congress president Rahul Gandhi when ex PM Manmohan Singh awarded Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on behalf of the GST council in a even here in New Delhi.
In a event organised by The Hindu Business Line, Arun Jaitley accepted the award and the fact of the matter remains that the Goods and Services Tax, brought in by the BJP, was criticised by the Congress’ Rahul Gandhi, who referred it as ‘Gabbar Singh Tax.’
Today GST COUNCIL got BUSINESS LINE-CHANGE MAKER OF YEAR AWARD. Presented to Finance Minister Shri @arunjaitley by Dr Manmohan Singh.
— BJP (@BJP4India) March 15, 2019
Gabbar Singh Tax, Rahul Gandhi? pic.twitter.com/TZO0gMT2e3
BJP tweeted saying, “Today GST COUNCIL got BUSINESS LINE-CHANGE MAKER OF YEAR AWARD. Presented to Finance Minister Shri @arunjaitley by Dr Manmohan Singh. Gabbar Singh Tax, Rahul Gandhi?”
Recently in a rally, PM Narendra Modi reiterated the effectiveness of the GST and added that the government made it more useful for the common public. He said, “Tax rates were brought down to 18% for some, 12-5% for others, and even 0% for certain items. We did this after acquiring public feedback.”
Although, ex PM Manmohan Singh attacked the BJP government and said, “It is vital to prepare all stakeholders for the coming change; because changes produce some disruption, some pain, and considerable discomfort.”
Manmohan Singh further added that “a process that had been carried on by successive governments. A Prime Minister though has a different and wider responsibility than does a Finance Minister as he or she has to factor in political and social implications.”
First published: 16 March 2019, 17:14 IST