1 July 2018 marks one year since the Goods and Services Tax (GST) was rolled out by the Narendra Modi government. While the centre has big plans to celebrate the ‘success’ of GST at the Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi as a “fitting tribute to spirit of cooperative federalism”, the opposition remains unconvinced about GST’s effectiveness in making our economy “cleaner”.
A similar (and very clear) divide is seen between the people – the consumers, the traders, the employers, et al, – with some praising it for having simplified their life and others... well, let’s just say they’re not too happy about it.
All this GST love and hate was seen on the political microcosm that is Twitter on Sunday with not one, not two, but three hashtags making it to top trends in the country. Here are some gems we picked out for you to get a sense of how this ‘anniversary’ is being perceived.
First Came the VIPs...
It was not entirely unexpected that all the politicians and people who support GST and are celebrating one year since its implementation used pretty much the same few creatives rolled out by the NaMo government on its app.
...But Not All of Them Were GST-Happy
It was equally unsurprising to see most of the criticism in the political circle against the GST came from the BJP’s main rival, Congress, in what can be argued to be a similarly coordinated digital movement.
Then Came The Public...
...With More People Unhappy than Happy
Whether or not people like it, whether or not politicians agree to it, the fact is that the Goods and Services Tax is here to stay.
What do you think of the GST? And do you think it is a feat worth celebration? Tweet out your thoughts to us at @Quint on Twitter and let us know!
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