Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi defends GST cuts and urges crop compensation
Belagavi
Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi on Saturday defended the central government’s revised GST rules, emphasizing that the common man stands to benefit from the changes. He urged the Congress party to stop criticising the GST cuts and instead focus on measures to reduce the increased tax rates on essential items such as milk, stamps, and various certificates.
Speaking to the media, Kadadi also demanded immediate compensation for farmers affected by heavy rainfall, noting that approximately 60,000 hectares of crops were damaged in Belagavi district. He countered Congress claims that the state would not benefit from the GST revision, highlighting that the new structure will lower the tax burden and subsequently reduce prices for essential goods.
Kadadi praised the cabinet, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, for taking a crucial step in favour of the common man amid ongoing US-India trade tensions. He explained that the earlier four-tier GST system has now been simplified to two slabs, with 12% and 28% rates abolished, retaining only 5% and 18%.
Under the revised framework, GST on education-related items, health insurance, and life insurance has been made zero. Food products, agriculture, and horticulture items that were previously taxed at 12% have been reduced to 5%, and medical-related products previously at 18% are now taxed at 5%. The 28% GST on vehicles has been lowered, with an additional 22% tax applied, Kadadi added, emphasizing the government’s aim to ease costs for consumers while supporting key sectors.
