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Only one CM opposed GST: Jairam Ramesh takes dig at PM Modi
Sep-22-2025

Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Jairam Ramesh took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that Modi opposed the Goods and Services Tax (GST) when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. 

Congress General Secretary in charge of communications Ramesh said that from 2006 to 2014, only one Chief Minister opposed GST, and that Chief Minister became the Prime Minister in 2014 and in 2017, took a U-turn and emerged as the messiah of GST.

Ramesh stated that the recently announced GST reforms are limited because they don't provide ease in navigating the procedural complexities of the MSME sector. He said the PM 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.

Senior Congress leader criticised the central government’s handling of Goods and Services Tax (GST), calling it neither ‘good nor simple.’ He recalled that when GST was first implemented in July 2017, then Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had referred to it as the ‘Gabbar Singh Tax.’ Ramesh further stated that the proposal to implement GST was first presented by former Finance Minister P Chidambaram in 2006 and was introduced as a bill in 2010.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that reforms to GST will come into effect across the country from today and will contribute to the savings of commoners. Calling these reductions historic, Shah said that the reduction in GST rates has been implemented on more than 390 products. 

Earlier on Sunday, PM Modi announced the implementation of next-generation GST reforms from September 22nd, which he described as a major step towards the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. Addressing the nation, PM said these reforms would usher in a nationwide ‘GST Bachat Utsav,’ benefiting the poor, middle class, farmers, traders, and entrepreneurs.


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