Punjabi News-Patiala Web Desk
Chandigarh, 24 December
The GST Council’s recent clarification on GST rates on popcorn has sparked an issue and created a tsunami of memes on social media. Social media users have been sharing funny and cheesy memes (pictures) on the topic, making it a hot topic.
On Saturday, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has clarified that caramel popcorn will attract 18 per cent GST, considering it a sweet made from sugar. While salted and plain popcorn if packed and labeled will attract 12 percent GST. Apart from this, 5 percent GST will be charged on open packets. After this announcement, social media users are sharing funny memes (pictures) on it.
A person on social media questioned that why different GST on different flavors of popcorn? Another user quipped, “It all depends on the salt and the caramel.”
Is there caramel in your popcorn? pic.twitter.com/CuCm7dE9AI
— Narundar (@NarundarM) December 22, 2024
Another person shared a picture of Nirmala Sitharaman and wrote, “Is there caramel in your popcorn?”, not even a dialogue from a movie, “Caramel popcorn is found in bags at a goldsmith’s shop.”
Caramel Popcorn to beta itni itni thailiyon
Meet me at the goldsmith’s shop. pic.twitter.com/R9MaRSWAoT
— Stress Judicata (@apurv_shaurya) December 23, 2024
Opposition parties also raised questions
In his post on X, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has also alleged significant GST evasion. The absurd decision of three different tax slabs for popcorn under GST has created a tsunami of memes on social media. This highlights a serious issue: A system that was supposed to be ‘nice and simple’ is becoming increasingly complex.
The absurd decision of three different tax slabs for popcorn under GST has created a tsunami of memes on social media. This highlights a serious issue: a system that was supposed to be ‘good and simple’ is becoming increasingly complex.
GST evasion is a serious matter, input tax credit…
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) December 22, 2024
The politician wrote that GST evasion is on the rise, input tax credit fraud is common and thousands of fake companies have been set up to ‘game’ the GST system. They alleged that the tracking supply chain is weak, the registration process is flawed and loopholes in turnover exemptions are being exploited. Jairam Ramesh wrote in the post that the latest data on tax evasion shared by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) reveals a GST evasion of Rs 2.01 lakh crore in FY24.
