Belagavi: Rajya Sabha member Iranna Kadadi defended the central govt’s revised GST rules, saying that the common man will benefit from them. He demanded that the Congress should stop criticising the central govt’s GST cut and take steps to reduce the increased tax rates on essential items, including milk, stamps, and various certificates. He demanded that the govt immediately release compensation to the farmers, who have lost their crops due to heavy rainfall. Speaking to the media on Saturday, Iranna Kadadi said around 60,000 hectares of crops were damaged in Belagavi district. The Congress is saying that the state will not benefit from GST. When any govt makes a good decision, it should be welcomed. The revised GST system will reduce the tax burden, and the price of essential goods will also reduce. He said that it is welcome that the cabinet, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, took an important decision in favour of the common man by reducing the GST rate when the US has begun a tariff war with India.Earlier, there was a four-tier GST system. It was eliminated, and only two levels of GST have been implemented. GST slabs of 12 and 28% were abolished, and only 5% and 18% have been retained. In addition, the GST rate of many education-related items, health insurance and life insurance has been made zero, he said.Similarly, the GST rate on food products and agriculture and horticulture, which was previously 12%, has been reduced to 5%. The GST rate on medicines related to the medical system, which was 18%, has been reduced to 5%. The 28% GST rate on vehicle purchases has been reduced along with the imposition of an additional tax of 22%. The decision cost the central govt about Rs 40,000 to 50,000 crore every year. The central govt has taken steps to control harmful substances such as tobacco products by imposing 40% GST.The decision taken by the state govt in the cabinet to hold elections again through ballot papers instead of EVMs is not right. Rahul Gandhi is making false allegations against the Election Commission, saying that he does not trust EVMs, he said.BJP district unit rural president Subhash Patil, district president Geeta Sutara, former MLA Sanjay Patil, MB Jirali, Sachina Kadi, and others were present at the press conference.
