September 6, 2025

New Delhi – Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman did not hold back on Saturday! She said India truly deserves a better opposition and smarter leaders. Why? Because the current criticism of the GST reforms by opposition parties is, in her words, "ill-informed" and ignores important facts. In an eye-opening interview with PTI, Sitharaman pointed fingers at the Congress party for blaming the BJP-led NDA government for keeping four GST tax slabs when GST began in 2017. But hold on, she said, this was not just BJP’s decision. Congress ministers were deeply involved too! "Are they (opposition) not aware of it?" she asked, making it clear that blaming BJP alone is unfair. She explained that back then, an important group called the Empowered Committee—featuring finance ministers from several states, including those run by the opposition—decided on the four tax slabs through long discussions. Remember Asim Dasgupta, a Left leader and former West Bengal Finance Minister? He played a big role as the group’s head during those talks. They studied tax levels on products in different states, made calculations, and agreed on the four slabs nearest to the average prices. This took years of intense talks. Sitharaman also warned the opposition like this: "If you don’t understand the issue, then the least you can do is keep quiet." She even said, "I have no ego. I will even apologise to people," but only if opposition leaders provide facts and prove her wrong. Otherwise, their comments are just "nonsense," she said. About recent criticism, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge said the party had long demanded GST simplification and blamed Modi’s government for high taxes. They called the new two slab system, cutting rates from four slabs to 5% and 18%, as "GST 1.5" and claimed the real GST 2.0 is yet to come. Sitharaman brushed off these claims. She also dismissed Congress leader Jairam Ramesh's charge that Prime Minister Modi ignored the GST Council by announcing tax changes during his Independence Day speech. She said, "Modi gave a message to the country about reforms as the country's prime minister," and asked, "What is wrong in this?" Looking ahead, Sitharaman promised that Modi’s government will continue pushing people-friendly reforms. Even during tough times like Covid, the government kept moving forward with tax relief and reforms, and this drive will not stop anytime soon. So, as the GST Council’s decision to simplify tax slabs kicks in from September 22, get ready for a lighter tax burden and clearer tax system. It’s a long road from 2017, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman wants India’s opposition to catch up with facts and stop confusing the public!

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Tags: Nirmala sitharaman, Gst reforms, Opposition criticism, Bjp, Congress, Finance minister,