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GST

Taxation Gone Awry

During its 55th meeting, the GST Council clarified that tax treatment for popcorn would depend on its flavour and the way it was sold; while popcorn sold loose will be taxed at 5 per cent, GST on popcorn will incre a se to 12 per cent if it was sold in packets under a brand name, while caramelised popcorn would be taxed at 18 per cent.

Torpid economy

The present trend of increasing tax revenues to fund money-guzzling social sector schemes (Rs 12 lakh crore in the last budget) must also stop. Instead of a policy of maximising tax collection, we should go in for a rational and comprehensive taxation policy designed to prevent concentration of wealth and straightening out the glaring inequalities in our society, which would entail reducing GST and bringing back taxes on wealth, inheritance and gifts.

Dissecting the Budget

The Union Budget is an important document. An analysis of the budget statement is equally important. The main objectives of analyses and interpretation of the budget are to depict a true and fair picture of the country’s economic status. The other objective is to help discern the intention of the government in terms of economic development, inclusive growth and removing regional disparities.