The 55th GST Council, which is headed by the finance minister, Nirmala Sithraman, came to an end on December 21. Some significant developments emerged from the meeting of the 33-member council, which also includes FM of each individual state.
While no decisive move was made on Aviation Turbine Fuel, or ATF, when it comes to bringing it under the GST ambit, a decision on the reduction of GST on insurance premiums and food delivery was also deferred.
A monumental amount of traction was however attained by some other decisions and proposals. Variegated taxes on different types of popcorn, along with GST on used cars, all of these issues elicited reactions from taxpayers online.
Tax Terrorism Trends On X
As thsi discourse progressed, the hastag #TaxTerrorism has been trending on social media platform X.
One user added Plain Tea without Sugar : 5%, Plain Tea with sugar : 12%, Milk Tea without Sugar : 18%, Milk Tea with Sugar : 28%, wit the hastag #TaxTerrorism
Plain Tea without Sugar : 5%
Plain Tea with sugar : 12%
Milk Tea without Sugar : 18%
Milk Tea with Sugar : 28%#GSTCouncil #TaxTerrorism #OnePopcornOneTax #TaxLoot #PopcornTax https://t.co/rsybZEbiSJ pic.twitter.com/WrK1kXEPGt
— Tallafan (@smajaas) December 22, 2024
Another user drew a direct comparison between the taxation system in the United States and India.
Tax middle class from everywhere so that bureaucrats and politicians can live lavishly. #GSTLiesBusted #TaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/d2pvN0m6Tr
— Rahul Kumar Yadav (@_therahulyadav) December 21, 2024
One user added, “I am paying all hefty taxes like Income tax, GST, Cess, VAT, Professional tax, Property Tax, Road tax but getting third world infrastructure in return.
Tell me one good reason to stay in this country? #TaxLoot #GST #TaxTerrorism “
I am paying all hefty taxes like Income tax, GST, Cess, VAT, Professional tax, Property Tax, Road tax but getting third world infrastructure in return.
Tell me one good reason to stay in this country? #TaxLoot #GST #TaxTerrorism @CbeCorp @KovaiUpdates pic.twitter.com/lu5kXFzXpk
— The Bodh (@itsthebodh) December 21, 2024
Taxation To Vexation
Another user outraged, “Income & Employment is not necessary, But paying taxes is mandatory. Your food and clothes are secondary, But paying taxes is mandatory.” The user also added an AI-generated meme to to this post.
Income & Employment is not necessary,
But paying taxes is mandatory.
Your food and clothes are secondary,
But paying taxes is mandatory.
Middle class be like 
#NirmalaSitharaman #TaxTerrorism #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/FnEXpABrLV
— सुशील दुबे भारद्वाज (@SushilKrDubey97) December 22, 2024
Other X users resorted to different jocular means to express their indignance.
‘Inflation Man’ is Modi’s whip#TaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/tg6dcEsMQD
— mir quadeer (@QuadeersultanM) December 23, 2024
18% GST #TaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/2tduIzd4t2
— salim (@realsalimhere) December 22, 2024
After #TaxTerrorism in India, let me introduce you to #HealthTerrorism in India.
This is a packet of namkeen.
It lists its ingredients.
By basic maths
Fat- 22g × 9kcal/g = 198 kcal
Carbs- 55g × 4kcal/g = 220 kcal
Protein – 25g × 4kcal/g = 100 kcal
Total 518 but it lists 450. pic.twitter.com/KXOK3zjR36
— Vaibhav Vishal (@vVab18) December 22, 2024
“While businesses are getting PLI, Tax breaks….. and a common who can barely afford a 4 wheeler aspires 2nd Hand car, Has to pay 18%, are these guys out of mind :rage:. Will ITC wouldn’t apply here?”, said another user.
While businesses are getting PLI, Tax breaks….. and a common who can barely afford a 4 wheeler aspires 2nd Hand car, Has to pay 18%, are these guys out of mind .
Will ITC wouldn’t apply here?#TaxTerrorism #Pushpa2TheRule pic.twitter.com/Im5bHKf9Zw
— LtCdr Naresh Kumar (@PhalshwalNK) December 21, 2024
Popcorn खा लो Guysss #TaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/cNMYS73WBG
— mir quadeer (@QuadeersultanM) December 22, 2024
One nation but multiple taxes, and neither BJP nor Congress seems to have an issue with it.
In the end, it’s the middle-class taxpayers who are exploited with no way to defend themselves.#TaxTerrorism
— Sann (@san_x_m) December 22, 2024
Another X user said, “One nation but multiple taxes, and neither BJP nor Congress seems to have an issue with it. In the end, it’s the middle-class taxpayers who are exploited with no way to defend themselves. #TaxTerrorism.”
Perfect example how Nirmala tai playing with tax
Koi nahi bachega “18% GST”#TaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/GXJUETb4E7
— Thanos_Pandit 
(@Thanos_pandith) December 22, 2024
People trying to be adventurous in Suggesting Nirmala Tai about Newer Ways to Tax citizens be like…..#TaxTerrorism pic.twitter.com/N3nfQxrGoi
— Dr KK (@drkk4u) December 22, 2024
