The storm in a snack bucket over GST rates on a munchie shows govts are still in that old mindset that sees whatever that’s fun and/or quality as sinful. We can’t become a rich country like this
GST that replaced a plethora of central and state indirect taxes was one of the hardest reforms pushed through in the last decade. Parliament aside, each state assembly had to pass the GST bill. Taxation system of businesses had to be changed, online systems created. Division of revenue between Centre and states had to be figured out. Opposition’s criticism had to be managed. It was slow, arduous, and a monumental reform. That’s probably why it counts as one of BJP-led govt’s major achievements. GST’s primary aim was a uniform, simplified, hassle-free indirect tax regime.