
In what is being called one of the most transformational reforms in post-Independence India, the constitutional amendment bill for setting up goods and services tax (GST) was passed in Rajya Sabha after nearly eight hours of discussion on Wednesday, August 3. The move will basically allow free flow of goods across the country and benefit the Make in India campaign.
What this move will do is to essentially do away with several central and state taxes and the indirect tax levied on the value added at each step from manufacturing to consumption, but it’s expected to increase taxes on services. The positive fallout of this is that because of the removal of the -n-between steps, it’s expected to reduce black money and corruption.
While this important Bill was being passed in Rajya Sabha, there were people sitting in their homes, offices or travelling in their cars and cracking jokes as #GSTBill made it to the top trends. It’s strange how something as serious as this can evoke people’s sense of humour. But then, it’s always great to see the funny side of things, isn’t it.
In fact, as you may be aware, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi are among Twitterati’s favourites and they have managed to relate this to the two as well.
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Sample these:
The Government is yet to announce the specifications of GST but people on Whatsapp have already forwarded all the minute details.
— Sagar (@sagarcasm) August 3, 2016
Sad to hear that GST passed away.
— hashu (@hawashmi) August 3, 2016
Kejriwal ji disappears for a few days and GST Bill already passed. Hmmmm
— BabaChu (@Baba_Chu) August 4, 2016
#GSTBill passed. Kejriwal ji ki vipassana bhang. 😂
— Maithun ☔️ Dalit (@Being_Humor) August 3, 2016
#GSTBill passage much like the Emirates crash landing in Dubai, for a decade parties fooled around on the most imp tax reform ever !
— Anjana Om Kashyap (@anjanaomkashyap) August 3, 2016
लालू “बेटा सुना #GSTBill पास हो गया है”?
तेजस्वी “हम सुने है बिहार बोर्ड से पास हुआ है, घुस खिलायें होंगे उधर टीचर को पक्का”।— Smoking Skills (@SmokingSkills_) August 3, 2016
#GSTBill passed unanimously. Last time BJP and Congress came together when Rahul Gandhi was made congress’ face for 2014 lok Sabha election.
— Maithun ☔️ Dalit (@Being_Humor) August 3, 2016
Modi: Agar #GSTBill se total tax collection kam hua to?
Jaitley: Apna kya hai ! Salaried class pe GST cess pel denge pic.twitter.com/weGMcuDB8R— The-Lying-Lama ☔️ (@KyaUkhaadLega) August 3, 2016
“MODI and other parties joined hands to pass #GST bill while I was away on Vispasanna, sab saale mile huge hai.”
– A Kejriwal
— Harsh Realities (@HarshaShahani) August 4, 2016
Someone asked full form of GST to Rahul Gandhi
Rahul Gandhi ‘s reaction 😂😂😂#GSTBill pic.twitter.com/jaruUsa2Cb— Jaini (@manichejain) August 3, 2016
Rahul Gandhi : Wow GST passes.
Sanjay Jha: Sir, you MUST oppose it
Rahul: It is, Gandhi Sales Tax. You MUST support it. #GSTBill
Sanjay:Cry— ओमर अब्दुल्लाह (@abdullah_0mar) August 3, 2016
All jokes apart, this indeed is a bold move which as Arvind Subramanian, chief economic advisor, puts, “will facilitate ‘Make in India’ by ‘Making One India”.
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