BJP MP Varun Gandhi attacks Centre over imposing GST on packaged food items, says it will result in unemployment

• Image Credit: Internet

• Jul 19, 2022 | Poonam Nath

5% GST went into effect for pre-packaged and labeled foods like cereals, pulses, and flour that weigh less than 25 kg.

Digital Desk: Varun Gandhi, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP, said on Monday (July 18, 2022) that Narendra Modi's government's decision to impose GST on packaged food items such as milk, curd, and rice will "hurt people" who are already dealing with "record-breaking unemployment." 

From Monday, a 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be levied on pre-packaged and labeled food items such as cereals, pulses, and flour weighing less than 25 kg.

"This decision, made amid record-high unemployment, will place an additional financial burden on middle-class families, particularly struggling young people living in rented housing. We are causing them pain when they desperately need it, "Varun Gandhi took to Twitter.

The opposition also chastised the government for levying GST on packaged food items. The BJP, on the other hand, accused opposition parties of politicizing the issue and claimed that states not governed by the BJP were also included in the GST council's decision.

Rahul Gandhi slammed the ruling BJP and shared a graph on Twitter showing how curd, paneer, rice, wheat, barley, jaggery, and honey are now taxed. Previously, there was no tax on these items of mass consumption.

"High taxes and no jobs The BJP's masterclass in destroying one of the world's fastest-growing economies, "Gandhi stated on Twitter.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, general secretary of the Congress, attacked Prime Minister Modi, saying that while arrangements were being made for some to earn indiscriminately, the poor and middle class were being maligned with talk of "Revadi culture."

"Previously, petrol-diesel and cooking gas were made expensive. Flour, cereals, and curd have all become more expensive today. Electricity will be made more costly in the coming years to benefit Modi Ji's trillionaire friends, "The Congress general secretary said in a Hindi tweet.

"Arrangements are being made for some people to earn indiscriminately, but the poor and middle class are being maligned by talk of 'Revadi culture,'" Priyanka Gandhi said.

Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, demanded that the tax be repealed, citing a "severe price increase" in the country.

"The entire country is experiencing steep price increases, and the Centre has increased the cost of food by imposing GST on it. I demand that the Centre withdraw it, "Kejriwal stated to reporters.

Meanwhile, traders in the national capital denounced the GST Council's decision to tax pre-packaged and labeled food items as "anti-people."