Popcorn Tax Outrage: Citizens need protection, not popcorn politics-Raghav Chadha
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ December 24,2024
In the recently held GST council meeting decision to impose new GST rates on popcorn at 5% for salted, 12% for branded, and 18% for caramel has sparked major criticism. AAP leader Ragha Chadha has severely criticized the move.
Aam Aadmi Party fire brand leader and Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Raghav Chadha criticized the GST Council’s clarification on three different GST tax slabs for popcorn, calling it messy.
Taking to X, Raghav Chadha remarked on the issue, saying: “When the GST council spends more time debating popcorn and chocolate cake than reducing tax on health insurance, you know this govt’s priorities are as messy as the GST system itself. Citizens need protection, not popcorn politics. One question, though: what flavor of popcorn is the Finance Minister relishing while watching the common man’s struggles?
As per GST changes recommended by the council “ To clarify that ready to eat popcorn which is mixed with salt and spices are classifiable under HS 2106 90 99 and attracts 5% GST if supplied as other than pre-packaged and labelled and 12% GST if supplied as pre-packaged and labelled. However, when popcorn is mixed with sugar thereby changing its character to sugar confectionary (eg caramel popcorn), it would be classifiable under HS 1704 90 90 and attract 18% GST. It has been decided to regularise the issues for the past on “as is where is” basis.(Note: There is no new imposition of any tax in this regard and is merely a clarification as certain field units were demanding different tax rates on the same. Therefore, it is a clarification being recommended by the GST Council to settle the disputes arising out of interpretation.)”
