INDIA. New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi joined the opposition’s protest against inflation and the 5 per cent goods and service tax (GST) pricing on necessities on the second day of the Monsoon session in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament.
Rahul Gandhi joined fellow Congressmen, including KC Venugopal, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, Mallikarjun Kharge, the head of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha, and Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, in the opposition’s demonstration outside the House of Commons.
Leader of the Opposition of Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge announced in response to the protest that they would battle against rising prices, inflation, and higher GST rates for some basic goods.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his top ministers are discussing government’s plan for the Monsoon session in Parliament.
While CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP Elamaram Kareem requested suspension of business under rule 267 to discuss the issue of price rise and imposition of 5% GST on essential items, DMK Rajya Sabha MP Tiruchi Siva requested suspension of business on the issue of a “hike in the price of petroleum products leading to increase in the price of essential commodities.”
Manickam Tagore, a Congressman, submitted an adjournment motion notice about the imposition of 5% GST on some commodities in the Lok Sabha. Leaders of the opposition vowed to continue applying pressure on the government on these matters. The opposition caused disruptions on the first day of the monsoon session of Parliament, which led to a one-day adjournment of both Houses.
The Goods and Services Tax rate recommendations announced at the 47th GST Council meeting in June became effective on Monday. Pre-packaged and marked pulses and cereals including rice, wheat, and flour (atta) will now be subject to a 5% GST; however, curd, lassi, and puffed rice will still be subject to a 5% tax. Other commodities, including curd, lassi, and puffed rice, will also be subject to GST at a rate of 5%.
Also Read: Rahul Gandhi Criticizes GST, Calls It “Grahasti Sarvanaash Tax”
