In a forceful rebuttal to the Congress party's persistent criticism of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday hailed the GST as a "God-Sent Tax," crediting it for enabling critical defense procurements such as the Rafale fighter jets and the S-400 missile systems. His remarks come at a time of heightened tensions along the India-Pakistan border.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Sarma wrote, "Rafale jets and S-400 systems don't just appear - they are built on the strength of our taxpayers. That's why GST was never a 'Gabbar Singh Tax' - it's a 'God-Sent Tax' that unites India and funds its security, growth, and resilience."
Rebuttal to Rahul Gandhi's 'Gabbar Singh Tax' Jibe
Sarma's statement was a direct response to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's long-standing critique of GST. Gandhi has often referred to the indirect tax as the "Gabbar Singh Tax," accusing the BJP-led government of turning the Congress' original vision of a "Genuine Simple Tax" into a complex, multi-rate system.
In a July 1, 2022 tweet, Gandhi criticized the GST framework, citing over 1,000 changes in less than five years and alleging that it had made doing business, particularly for MSMEs, a nightmare. He had also promised a "GST 2.0" under a Congress-led government, featuring a single, low tax rate fairly shared with states.
GST and India's Defense Spending
Sarma emphasized that GST collections have empowered the central government to invest in modern military infrastructure and advanced defense systems. "Nation-building requires resources, and GST has been instrumental in strengthening our fiscal capabilities," he added.
The Assam CM linked India's bolstered military strength - including high-end acquisitions like the Rafale jets and S-400 air defense systems - directly to the revenues generated from GST, asserting that the tax unites India economically while securing it strategically.
Border Escalation: India-Pakistan Conflict Intensifies
Sarma's remarks coincided with renewed hostilities along the India-Pakistan border. Reports indicate that the Indian Armed Forces recently dismantled nine terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir during 'Operation Sindoor'. In retaliation, Pakistan launched missile attacks aimed at multiple Indian cities - all of which were successfully intercepted by India's air defense units.
The Indian government has since raised the national security alert level. All state and union territory administrations have been instructed to implement comprehensive preparedness measures. Educational institutions in border regions have been shut, and the leaves of government personnel have been cancelled.
Conclusion
Himanta Biswa Sarma's strong endorsement of GST as a "God-Sent Tax" serves not only as a defense of the tax system but also as a broader political counter to the Congress party's narrative. His comments underscore the role of tax reforms in nation-building and national defense at a time when India faces significant security challenges on its western front.
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