New GST norms ignite protests across city

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

Congress, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Socialist Unity Centre of Unity (SUCI) on Wednesday staged separate protests against levying of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on new products and hike in others. Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) working president Ramalinga Reddy led an agitation against the new taxation measures in front of the GST Office in Koramangala. AAP staged a protest at Freedom Park, while SUCI also staged a demonstration at the same venue.

Reddy was accompanied by KPCC district committee members. The protesters said that they were against the taxation of essential products. “The taxes that hadn’t been imposed in the 75 years of independence are being introduced today. The edible items consumed by the poor: curd, rice, jaggery, honey, maps used for childrens’ education, pencils, besides the items utilised by farmers: pump sets (motors), even cheque books are being taxed,” Reddy said.

He also slammed the Centre’s contention that essential goods above 25 kilograms would be taxed. “Modi made all manner of tall claims eight years ago. He deployed all kinds of gimmicks. He said he usher in ‘achche din’ (good days). Are these ‘achche din’? When Manmohan Singh was the prime minister, he lifted 25 crore people out of poverty. However, after Modi arrived, 24 lakh people have been pushed under the poverty line. Now they are trampling the poor further,” he added.