“For Eight Long Years, the Middle Class and Poor Were Squeezed Dry”: P. Chidambaram Applauds GST Reforms

Madurai: Former Union Finance Minister and Congress leader P. Chidambaram welcomed the government’s recent reforms in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), stating that the decision corrects a long-standing mistake.

Speaking on the GST reforms, Chidambaram said: “I appreciate the government for realising its mistake after eight years. Eight years ago, when this law was implemented, it was wrong. At that time, we had advised that such a tax should not be imposed. The then Chief Economic Advisor, Arvind Subramanian, also advised that it was a mistake. But at that time, neither the Prime Minister nor the ministers listened.”

Chidambaram added that he and other leaders had repeatedly raised concerns in Parliament and through various articles, emphasizing the undue burden placed on ordinary citizens.

“For eight long years, it was the middle class and poor people who were squeezed dry. The 12% and 18% rates have now been reduced to 5%. For all these years, it was the very same people who bore the burden of paying 12% and 18%. At least now, with a change of heart and better understanding, they have reduced these tax rates, and I appreciate them for that,” he remarked.