DMK’s working president M.K. Stalin has said that the recent reduction in GST tax slabs announced by the GST Council at its monthly meeting was linked directly to the ensuing Assembly polls in Gujarat.

The BJP, which rules at the Centre with a majority of its own, is making a serious bid to retain its power and win a record fifth consecutive term in the Gujarat which is to vote in two phases on 09th and 14th December. Presiding over the monthly meeting of the GST Council a few days back, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced reduction in GST tax slab on many items and hinted at more such sops in future.

“GST Council has reduced/revised the tax slab on 213 products/articles. It may be recalled that the DMK was the first to raise its voice against the GST, which was implemented in haste, as it would hurt the interests of people and small/medium traders. Union Finance Minister didn’t pay heed to my request to postpone by three months the implementation of the GST tax regime.

“The weak AIADMK regime tamely supported the BJP in Parliament without bothering to bargain for the people. After passing the GST Act without much thought, the BJP has now reduced GST slabs not to reduce people’s burden but only with an eye on Gujarat Assembly polls. Centre is responsible for the loss of lives and livelihood rights of people as a fall-out of GST and its complications.

“Not only the opposition parties but also the Centre’s chief economic adviser Arvind Subramanian has said that the GST tax limit shouldn’t go beyond 18%.  I appeal to the Centre to take appropriate steps in ensuring that the maximum tax slab in GST is kept at 18% for all products and services,” Stalin said in a statement.