“GST Decisions Were Collective, Not Centre’s”: Nirmala Sitharaman Clarifies in a Chennai Event

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman was asked at a Chennai event whether GST rates had increased since the tax was introduced. In response, she denied any increase. “Not even one rate has been increased. Let’s be sure of that,” she clarified, calling it “false propaganda.” However, she added that the government is open to reducing GST on essential items.

She rejected all claims that blamed the government for GST-related decisions, highlighting that they were made collectively. She pointed out that if people have complaints about GST, they should question their own state’s finance ministers. “Then if someone has a complaint and immediately says, ‘Oh, it’s the Modi government that did this’ — then you should ask the finance ministers from your own state: ‘Did you go and oppose it? Did you raise an objection? Even then, was it passed?’ You need to ask that, right?” , she stated.

Her statement explains that GST policies are not just decided by the central government but are decided together with state governments. She pointed out that parties like Congress, DMK, the Communist Party, Telugu Desam, and YSRCP have actively participated in the decision-making process. Even today, Congress members from states like Karnataka, Telangana, and West Bengal are all part of this decision.

She acknowledged that people want lower GST on essential, everyday items. She assured that the government is open to reducing GST rates further, especially for products commonly used by the common public. However, Nirmala Sitharaman criticized the way some people compare tax rates from before and after GST through social media posts. She said If we look at them closely, we will understand that this is “false propaganda.”

She pointed out that some people spread misinformation that products like coconut oil and Parle-G biscuits are taxed by the government. However, in reality, no such tax is imposed on these items. Therefore, people should look at such claims carefully before believing them.