'GST on drinking water next?' Social media roasts GST Council over popcorn taxation

Popcorn

Social media on Saturday was abuzz with hilarious tweets after the GST Council said that ready-to-eat popcorn which is pre-packed and labelled mixed with salt & spices will attract 12% tax while caramelised popcorn will attract 18% tax.

"When popcorn is mixed with sugar (caramel popcorn), its essential character changes to that of a sugar confectionary, and would therefore (be classifiable under HS 1704 90 90) and attract 18 per cent GST", the Council clarified.

The recommendation of separate tax slabs by the GST Council on a single product did not go down well with social media users and led to a flood of amusing social media posts.

While some users humorously speculated whether there would be separate GST slabs based on how people drink their water, others jokingly suggested different tax rates for various types of dal.

Slamming the government and the GST Council for not having a uniform tax rate on popcorn, a social media user wrote, "Those who are advocating to implement One Nation One Election are not able to implement one tax rate on popcorn".

Those who are advocating to implement One Nation One Election are not able to implement one tax rate on popcorn #GSTCouncil pic.twitter.com/nt7trd5JX2
Aman (@TheMadMood) December 21, 2024

Responding sharply to the announcement, another X user linked it to the 18% GST levied on used vehicles. "Popcorn par 18% GST to samajh aata hai, ye toh ameer logon ka snack hai. Lekin purani car jo aksar gareeb log lete hain, uspe bhi 18% GST lagana kya sahi hai?," he posted.

The GST Council on December 21 decided to increase the tax on sale of old and used vehicles by businesses - from 12% to 18%.

"Popcorn par 18% GST to samajh aata hai, ye toh ameer logon ka snack hai.Lekin purani car jo aksar gareeb log lete hain, uspe bhi 18% GST lagana kya sahi hai?"#18%GST #popcorn#GSTCouncil #GST #GSTCouncil December 21, 2024 Chandan Yadav (@Chandanmgs123) December 21, 2024

Reacting sarcastically, a third used asked whether GST will be levied on drinking water next. "What next? GST on drinking water — 5% if you sip, 12% if you gulp and 18% if you spill," he posted.

What next? GST on drinking water 5% if you sip, 12% if you gulp and 18% if you spill https://t.co/aTuofhl8Lx
Sagar (@sagarcasm) December 21, 2024

A disappointed social media user said our politicians (without naming anyone) are making a mockery of GST. "What a mockery of GST our politicians are making. All state FMs meet and discuss how to tax popcorn basis their content. Next will be food menu in restaurants," he posted.

What a mockery of GST our politicians are making.All state FMs meet and discuss how to tax popcorn basis their content.Next will be food menu in restaurantsDal fry no GST Dal tadka 2.5% Dal makhni 5% Panner butter masala 18% Butter chicken 28% Gurmeet Chadha (@connectgurmeet) December 21, 2024

Another user referred to a popular brand's tagline 'Kya aapke toothpaste mein namak hai' to take a dig at the popcorn taxation. "New Question ... Kya aapke Popcorn me Namak hain?," he posted on X.

New Question"Kya aapke Popcorn me Namak hain?"#GSTCouncilRohit Jain (@rohitjain2021) December 21, 2024

GST on Popcorn is more important to Government than removing/reducing GST on insurance. #GSTCouncil Sunil Prem (@sunilpremts) December 21, 2024

"So popcorn rates r currently burning problem for common people more than GST on medical Insurance & Policies," another added.

So " popcorn" rates r currently burning problem for common people more than GST on " medical Insurance & Policies". Did " DMK" Walk out/ popped out when " popcorn" issue popped up. As Usual " Silent" Curious (@Krishgud) December 21, 2024

A social media user also had a suggestion on how to avoid the heavy taxes on popcorn. "Now, the only way to legally avoid tax on popcorn is to buy ACT II popcorn DIY and enjoy tax-free popcorn," he wrote.

Now, the only way to legally avoid tax on popcorn is to buy ACT II popcorn DIY and enjoy tax-free popcorn Raghav Mrituanjaya (@raghav_mri) December 21, 2024

Taking a sharp dig at the GST Council, a person expressed his displeasure over the popcorn taxation. "Contrast FM spending time discussing GST on popcorn with different toppings ... with the FMs of other countries debating if they should build crypto reserves," he wrote.

Contrast FM spending time discussing GST on popcorn with different toppings ... with the FMs of other countries debating if they should build crypto reserves. WordTale (@WordTale) December 21, 2024

Another use called it out 'stupid' & 'mess' saying, "GST rules are most stupid. See how GST varies for chocolate cake based on where you order it from. This government has made a mess out of GST."

GST rules are most stupid. See how GST varies for chocolate cake based on where you order it from. This government has made a mess out of GST. pic.twitter.com/S5n8MUc7pe D.Muthukrishnan (@dmuthuk) December 21, 2024