Monday, 23 December 2024
Monday, 23 December 2024
The GST Council's meeting on Saturday in Jaisalmer brought about some decisions that have set social media users more active than ever. The council proposed changes to the tax structure on various items: ready-to-eat popcorn will now attract 12 per cent GST, while caramelized popcorn faces a steeper 18 per cent.
Additionally, the GST rate on used electric vehicles sold by businesses was increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, applicable only on the margin value.
But no one was reading the fine print as tax terrorism became a chorus on social media.
‘Inflation man strikes again’
A video dubbed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the "Inflation Man," highlighting the rising costs of daily essentials like soap, tea, and vegetable oil. It ended with the slogan:
"Janta se wasooli karo, dost ki tijori bharo" (Exploit the people, fill the coffers of friends).
‘A perfect tax terrorism plan’
“Salary tax: 30%, Petrol tax: 50%, GST: 28%, Education tax: 18%, Health tax: 18%,” posted one X user.The caption called Nirmala Sitharaman the “Architect of #TaxTerrorism.”
‘Spices and prices’
Another meme compared 2014 spice prices under the Congress with prices under the BJP, claiming dramatic increases:
Elaichi: ₹557 to ₹1,000, Dalchini: ₹250 to ₹600.The caption read: “Thand badh rahi hai, kaise bane ga kaada?” (Winter is here; how will we make herbal tea now?).
‘Income optional, taxes mandatory’
“Income & employment are not necessary, but paying taxes is mandatory,” declared another frustrated Indian.
‘Breaking or building the nation?’
A meme questioned the government's intentions with the caption: “We work hard to grow, but taxes grow harder. Are you building the nation or breaking the citizen?”
The accompanying image showed Nirmala Sitharaman with the line: “Mehnat ki kamai ka mota hissa mangti pakdi gayi” (Caught demanding a large chunk of hard-earned money).
‘Popcorn and taxes’
A satirical post broke down purported GST rates on tea and popcorn: Plain Tea: 5%, Milk Tea: 18%, Popcorn: up to 18%. It showed Sitharaman sitting atop a hill of popcorn with the caption: “One popcorn, one tax.”
‘Popcorn for gold’
A similar image depicted Sitharaman on a hill of gold coins, with citizens offering her popcorn, mocking the steep popcorn tax. The post meant: “18% GST on caramel popcorn, might as well trade it for gold.”
‘The common man’s wallet’
Another meme showed Prime Minister Narendra Modi running with scissors to cut open a common man’s wallet, captioned: “Tax, tax, and more taxes.”
‘Taxed for existing’
Another meme featured the comedy duo Jethalal and Champak Lal Gada with the line: “Popcorn khao, tax bharo. Gaadi becho, tax bharo. Zinda ho, toh tax bharo” (Eat popcorn, pay tax. Sell a car, pay tax. Exist, pay tax).
