The 55th GST Council meeting chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, which spun out some mind-boggling economics including about how to tax different kinds of popcorn, continues to feed wisecracks on social media.
Here are some examples
Some more GST ideas for the finance minister
One user joked about a new GST system, saying, "Upon entering any store or shop, you might be subjected to a 5% GST. Trying or inquiring about a product could incur a 12% GST. However, purchasing revokes it."
It’s satire, yes, but why put more tax ideas in the heads of the authorities, we say.
Tax on Santa’s gifts
Another user combined Santa Claus, the raging popcorn jokes and GST in one, writing: "Merry Christmas! Santa brings gifts, but the government takes its share, 18% GST on caramel popcorn and 30% tax on crypto profits."
Do the tax-people know it’s Christmas?
Another Christmas-jab post read: "Jingle tax, jingle tax. Christmas ki 28% GST katke hardit shubhkamnaye."
Logical, why should season’s greetings be outside the “Good and Simple Tax” ambit, right?
Santa’s escape from GST
"Santa Claus packed his bags and flew back last night because Nirmala Sitharaman imposed 18% GST on every gift," joked another user.
Santa Claus was unavailable for comment on whether the GST system has actually affected his deliveries in India.
Mandatory bhakt jab
One person stated, "Auntiieee looting us, and bhakts are happy with that."
Just goes to show how “bhakt” jabs are becoming ubiquitous.
Taxa Claus: A new nickname
A user posted, "If Nirmala Sitharaman were Santa, her name would have been Taxa Claus."
Santa Claus might not be so amused; surely the finance minister won’t.
Popcorn the new gold biscuit
And, of course, the popcorn jokes are still overflowing.
"Nirmala Sitharaman told Santa to pay Custom Duty on gifts. While Santa is still hiding popcorns in his beard," wrote another user.
Missing a ‘secret Santa’ GST slab
"In today's news: Nirmala Sitharaman is devastated after realising she missed her chance to introduce a Secret Santa GST slab," another post read.
If you have ever been at the wrong end of this corporate secret Santa trend, you would agree.
Santa avoids India
"Santa Claus doesn’t come to India because he fears Nirmala Sitharaman might collect gift tax from him," joked one user.
We repeat, Santa Claus was unavailable for comment on whether the GST system has actually affected his deliveries in India.
A simple wish to Santa
One post simply read, "Dear Santa, NO NIRMALA SITHARAMAN."
We are categorising this post as naughty.
Giving a piggy bank to the Finance Minister
"If I were Nirmala Sitharaman's secret Santa, I would give her my [piggy bank] so she can loot the savings of middle-class people and collect it," shared another user.
It is debatable whether the finance minister needs such a device.