Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Criticizes Congress for “Double Standards” on GST

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has strongly criticized the Congress party for what she described as a contradictory stance on the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Speaking at a recent public address, Sitharaman pointed out that the same leaders who once mocked GST as “Gabbar Singh Tax” are now rushing to claim credit for the reform’s success and evolution into “GST 2.0.”

Highlighting the government’s efforts, Sitharaman said GST has been a transformative step toward “One Nation, One Tax,” simplifying indirect taxation and eliminating cascading effects on consumers and businesses alike. She credited the Modi government’s continuous reforms for ensuring greater compliance, transparency, and higher revenue collections over the past few years.

Taking a direct swipe at the Opposition, Sitharaman remarked, “Those who once dismissed GST as ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ are now eager to embrace its success. This only proves the effectiveness of the reform and the hypocrisy of those trying to rewrite their past narratives.”

The Finance Minister reiterated the Centre’s commitment to making GST even more streamlined in the future, noting that taxpayer services, digitization, and reduced litigation remain top priorities. She also called for constructive cooperation from all political stakeholders, reminding them that GST was implemented through collective consensus in Parliament.

With record revenues in recent months, Sitharaman emphasized that GST has firmly established itself as a cornerstone of India’s economic growth.