MP: Cong takes ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ jibe at BJP govt, demands GST refund
In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the fresh GST rates kicked in on Monday, sparking a sharp political clash. The state’s Congress party fired back at the ruling BJP, dubbing the old tax system the “Gabbar Singh Tax” in a sly dig at its heavy burden on everyday folks.
State Congress chief Jitu Patwari chatted with reporters about the updates. He acknowledged that the BJP-led central government finally cut some GST rates, which could help people. But he quickly pivoted to a bigger gripe: “What about all the extra money people shelled out under those old rates since 2017? That’s the ‘Gabbar Singh Tax’ that wrecked lives, shut down small businesses, and left millions jobless.”
Patwari didn’t stop there. He slammed the Madhya Pradesh government’s new statewide awareness drive on GST benefits, saying it falls short. Instead, he urged officials to set up a refund system for overpaid GST, just like income tax returns (ITR). “The Congress is asking the BJP government to refund that excess GST from old slabs,” he said. “They should also support business owners who lost everything and workers who got hit by unemployment from this tax mess.”
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav jumped into action to promote the changes. He visited shopkeepers at Bhopal’s bustling Chowk Bazaar, handing out copies of the GST resolution and fielding their questions on the new rates. Yadav aims to spread the word on how these GST reforms make life easier.
The Madhya Pradesh government plans to roll out this awareness campaign across every corner of the state. The local BJP units will pitch in too, organizing events in all districts and blocks to explain the perks.
So, what’s new with these GST reforms—the biggest shake-up since the tax launched in 2017? They simplify things by ditching the old four-tier structure (5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%) for just two rates: 5% and 18%. Everyday essentials get a boost—think cheaper daily food items, life and health insurance, automobiles, transport services, electronics, home appliances, stationery, beauty treatments, lifestyle services, and even machinery.
On the flip side, ultra-luxury goods now face a steep 40% tax, while tobacco products stick to the 28% rate plus cess. These tweaks promise relief for middle-class families and small traders hit hard by rising costs in recent years. As debates heat up over GST refunds and past impacts, Madhya Pradesh watches closely for real benefits to trickle down.
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