The 55th GST Council came to pass in Jaisalmer on Saturday, December 21. The Goods and Services Tax council was held under the leadership of the country's finance minister.
GST Council Meeting
While many crucial decisions, including lowering the GST rate on insurance and ATF, were deferred, some other decisions included different taxes on different popcorns and chocolate cakes and an increased tax on used cars.
Many taxpayers have now reacted to these developments in their own fashion.
Netizens React To GST Rates
One of the biggest sticking points is the abstrusely variegated GST rates on different types of popcorn. A 5 per cent GST will levied on ready-to-eat popcorn, a further 12 per cent for pre-packaged, and an 18 per cent GST will added to caramel popcorn.
GST On Used cars
Some commented on the policy of taxes on used car. Here, the GST Council made the decision to raise the tax rate from 12 per cent to 18 per cent affecting all vehicles, from petrol to diesel to EVs.
A YouTuber, by the name of Deshbhakt also added, "After years of lies about the economy growing at an explosive rate & excuses on slowing GST collections - a cash-strapped Govt is now wringing the life out of the last available avenues. (Watching the drama unfold with 18% GST wala caramel popcorn in hand) What next for Tai after this? A modern version of Jizya Tax where minorities will have to pay protection money for safety??.... you never know."
Another user added, "And they say GST is Good and simple tax, "All actions and decisions in GST since 2017 is to harass taxpayers with more and more avenues of non compliance and unwarranted litigations."
