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Key Points

Union Minister Hardeep Puri has taken a sharp jab at the Congress party. He stated that Congress politicians are unable to see the happiness of people benefiting from the recent GST reforms. This comment was a direct response to Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's criticism of Prime Minister Modi's historical opposition to the tax. The exchange highlights the ongoing political debate surrounding the implementation and evolution of the Goods and Services Tax.

Key Points: Hardeep Puri Says Congress Blind to Public Happiness Over GST Reforms

  • Puri claims Congress is blind to public happiness from GST benefits
  • He references PM Modi's past opposition to GST before 2014
  • Puri highlights pre-GST logistical nightmares for companies moving goods
  • He challenges Congress to check records on who proposed GST rate reductions
3 min read

Congress cannot see happiness of people: Union Minister Hardeep Puri jibes at Jairam Ramesh

Union Minister Hardeep Puri slams Congress, claiming they cannot see public joy from GST reforms, responding to Jairam Ramesh's criticism of PM Modi's U-turn.

"Their politicians cannot see the happiness of the people who will benefit from the reforms - Hardeep Puri"

New Delhi, September 22

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Puri hit out at the Congress party on Monday, saying that the party cannot see the happiness of people after the new Goods and Services (GST) rates were implemented across the country.

"There is a feeling of fervour and festivities. Their (Congress) politicians cannot see the happiness of the people who will benefit from the reforms, they cannot absorb that. Let us not talk about them, leave their things, lets come to GST," Puri told ANI.

"During that time, we should see the situation. You used to criticise it so much, called it as Gabbar Singh Tax, whatever, leave that. The situation right now is that we implemented GST, and got second generation (reforms) too, and people are benefiting from this," he added.

The Union Minister's jibe at the party came a few hours after Congress leader Jairam Ramesh took potshots at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, claiming that the latter opposed GST when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat.

The Congress leader had said, "From 2006-2014, for eight years, only one CM opposed the GST, and that CM became the Prime Minister in 2014 and took a U-turn and emerged as a messiah of GST in 2017."

The union minister also highlighted the difficult situation the companies were in while trying to move goods across state lines.

"What are they talking about previous years? That time there was no such tax. When PM Modi addressed the nation, he said that taking goods from Bengaluru to Hyderabad by road, which is around 500 kilometres, was very difficult. Companies used to take goods to Germany, and then by air they used to get it back. That was the situation," Puri said.

Questioning the claims of the Congress, Puri called on the opposition party to check the records and see who called for a rate reduction, the Centre or other states led by Congress.

"We never said that we did everything. Someone said it was the GST Council that did everything. When did we say the GST Council did not? But the structure of the GST Council is such that the Union Finance Minister and Finance Ministers of states are also a part of it. They should check the records. We gave a proposal, or did they come to us with a reduction proposal?" he said.

Earlier, while speaking with ANI, Jairam Ramesh had also called the reforms as limited, saying that they don't provide ease in navigating the procedural complexities of the MSME sector.

He said, "The recent reforms to GST are limited. The need to provide ease in the procedural complexities of the MSME sector has not been fulfilled. The Prime Minister has not said anything on the demand of state governments to provide them with a five-year compensation package. Many issues need to be addressed."

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While GST has benefits, Jairam Ramesh makes a valid point about MSME sector complexities. Small businesses still struggle with compliance. The government should address these genuine concerns instead of political jibes.
A
Aditya G
Both sides playing politics as usual. But as a common man, I've seen prices of many daily items reduce after GST implementation. That's what matters to middle class families like mine. 👍
S
Sarah B
Interesting how political positions change when parties switch roles. Modi opposing GST as CM and now championing it as PM shows how governance perspective differs from opposition perspective.
K
Karthik V
The "Gabbar Singh Tax" comment by Congress was in poor taste. GST is a major economic reform that needed time to settle. Now we're seeing the benefits. Congress should acknowledge good work instead of constant criticism.
M
Meera T
As a small business owner, GST compliance is still a headache. The government should simplify the process further. Political debates don't help us - practical solutions do.

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