The media propagandists relentlessly strive to cast the Narendra Modi government in a negative light, fabricating stories daily despite readily available accurate information from respective ministry websites and the internet. Recently, they insinuated that the government had imposed a new 12% tax on milk cans, falsely portraying Modi as an anti-agrarian and anti-dairy farmer.
Contrary to these misleading narratives, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting on 22 June 2024, actually focused on easing tax burdens and enhancing compliance for businesses. One of the key decisions made was to reduce the GST on milk cans from 18% to 12% nationwide, ensuring a uniform tax rate regardless of the can’s material—whether steel, iron, or aluminum.
In this regard, the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s office shared information on the X platform stating that “GST Council has recommended to prescribe a uniform rate of 12% on all Milk Cans meaning steel, iron, aluminum which are irrespective of the use. They are called milk cans but wherever they are used that will be the rate applicable so that no disputes arise out of it. The Council also recommended to prescribe a uniform GST rate of 12% on all Carton Boxes and cases of both corrugated and non-corrugated paper or paper board. This will, in particular, help the apple growers of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The Council clarified and recommended that the clarification be put out on that all types of Sprinklers, including fire water sprinklers, will attract 12% GST. The Council recommended to prescribe 12% GST on all Solar Cookers whether it has single or dual energy source. – Smt @nsitharaman post 53rd GST Council Meeting in New Delhi.“
#GSTCouncil recommended to prescribe a uniform rate of 12% on all milk cans; steel, iron, aluminum, irrespective of the use. They are called milk cans but wherever they are used, the respective rate will be applicable so that no disputes arise out of it
The council also… pic.twitter.com/8NW7rVFfV0
— PIB India (@PIB_India) June 22, 2024
Opposition sympathizers were circulating the news of a 12% GST on milk cans as though it was a new tax introduced under Modi 3.0, conveniently omitting the crucial detail that this actually was an announcement for a reduction from the previous 18% GST rate. For instance, R. Rajiv Gandhi, President of the DMK Student Union, commented, “Nirmala madam who poured milk to milk!! 12% GST Tax Robbery!“ suggesting that the 12% GST is detrimental to the dairy industry.
பாலுக்கு பால் உற்றிய நிர்மலாமேடம்!!
12% GST வரி கொள்ளை!
— R.Rajiv Gandhi ✨ (@rajiv_dmk) June 22, 2024
The situation became concerning when Tamil Nadu news media, such as News 18 Tamil Nadu, published a news card stating, “Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a 12% GST tax on all types of milk cans, including iron, aluminum, and cast iron,” missing out the very fact that it was reduced from 18% portraying the BJP and the Union Finance Minister in negative light.
#JUSTIN இரும்பு, அலுமினியம், உருக்கு உள்ளிட்ட அனைத்து வகை பால் கேன்களுக்கும் 12% ஜிஎஸ்டி வரி- மத்திய நிதி அமைச்சர் நிர்மலா சீதாராமன் அறிவிப்பு #NirmalaSitharaman #Milkcans #GST #News18Tamilnadu | https://t.co/3v5L32pe7b pic.twitter.com/3eBhT4jolV
— News18 Tamil Nadu (@News18TamilNadu) June 22, 2024
As expected, the mouth piece of the ruling DMK, their family-owned news channel Sun News, published a news card stating, “12% GST on all types of milk cans” -Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Finance Minister“
#BREAKING | “அனைத்து வகையான பால் கேன்களுக்கும் 12% ஜிஎஸ்டி” -நிர்மலா சீதாராமன், ஒன்றிய நிதியமைச்சர்#SunNews | #NirmalaSitharaman | #GST pic.twitter.com/4Myr2EkG8J
— Sun News (@sunnewstamil) June 22, 2024
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