Piyush Goyal calls GST rate cuts ‘historic’, slams Cong for its ‘high-tax legacy’

NEW DELHI: Calling the newest spherical of GST rate cuts a “historic & transformational step” that can scale back client burden and increase demand, govt Friday launched a pointy assault on Congress, accusing it of forsaking a “high-taxation, fragile economy” and “failing to build consensus” on reforms throughout its decade in workplace.Union minister Piyush Goyal stated, “Such a change in the tax structure has never happened since Independence. PM Narendra Modi has given a big gift to 140 crore Indians.” He contrasted this with Congress’ document: “For 10 years (2004 to 2014), they did nothing except corruption. Congress means high taxation – there was tax upon tax, sometimes up to 95%.”Goyal stated govt ensured simplification, transparency and reduction: “From soaps and toothpaste to scooters, fridges and textiles, the benefit will be passed on. For 35-36 life-saving drugs, GST has been brought down to zero.”He additionally rebutted opposition criticism, claiming Congress was making an attempt to “spread falsehoods” to cowl up its “failures”. Slamming Rahul Gandhi, he stated: “We all know he is like a rocket that has failed many times after being launched. He himself often forgets what he said earlier and what he says now.”Govt drew sharp contrasts with UPA period, recalling how India was clubbed with “Fragile Five” economies in 2014. “Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji left a strong economy. Congress weakened it. Modi ji turned India into world’s fastest-growing economy at 7.8%,” Goyal stated.Dismissing allegations that the timing of reforms was politically motivated, he stated, “My govt never takes decisions keeping elections in mind.”