Rahul Gandhi Criticises Modi Government Over MSME Challenges, Calls for Simplified GST

Congress Leader and LoP in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi took aim at PM Modi and his administration’s management of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in a recent post on X. He brought attention to the continued challenges encountered by small business owners, mentioning the Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore in particular. Rahul Gandhi attacked the administration for not responding to the calls for a more straightforward GST system, saying that public officials treat these requests with arrogance and disrespect.

Rahul Gandhi Accuses Modi of Favoring Billionaires Over Small Businesses

When the owner of a small business, like Annapoorna restaurant in Coimbatore, asks our public servants for a simplified GST regime, his request is met with arrogance and outright disrespect.Yet, when a billionaire friend seeks to bend the rules, change the laws, or acquire…— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) September 13, 2024

Rahul Gandhi emphasised the contrasting treatment received by billionaires and small business owners under the PM Modi administration. According to Rahul Gandhi, while MSMEs face continuous hardships and humiliation, the government appears to offer special favors to wealthy individuals. He alleged that when billionaires seek to influence laws, bend rules, or acquire national assets, PM Modi “rolls out the red carpet” for them. This, Rahul Gandhi claimed, reflects a clear bias that leaves small businesses struggling under a complex and burdensome tax regime.

The Incident: Annapoorna Restaurant Owner Ridiculed Over GST Complaints

Rahul Gandhi’s criticism also referenced a controversial incident involving Mr. Srinivasan, the owner of the renowned Sree Annapoorna restaurant chain in Coimbatore. During a public meeting, Mr. Srinivasan raised concerns about the irrational GST structure that imposes varying rates on different food items. He pointed out the inconsistencies: 5% GST on sweets, 12% on namkeen, 0% on plain buns, and 18% on cream-filled buns. These inconsistencies, he argued, create unnecessary complications for business owners and tax officials.

Congress Condemns Humiliation of Business Owner

According to Congress, instead of engaging with these valid concerns, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mocked Mr. Srinivasan publicly. The humiliation reportedly continued when Mr. Srinivasan was later pressured into apologizing in person. To make matters worse, the BJP shared a video of this encounter on social media, which sparked outrage, particularly in Tamil Nadu.

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