Abhishek Banerjee rebuts FM Sitharaman, points to everyday GST burdens on poor

Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Thursday (February 12, 2026) hit back at Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s remarks that she “distorted facts” in her recent speech and alleged that the Center is ignoring the daily tax burden faced by ordinary families.

Responding to the debate on the Union Budget, Ms. Sitharaman accused Mr. Banerjee of distorting facts and also dismissed claims by Trinamool MPs that West Bengal did not find a mention in the Union Budget, stating that “it was a deliberate attempt to spread misinformation”. He also took issue with the Trinamool MP’s comment that GST should be paid even after death, saying there is no GST on funeral services and “perhaps it is the union working in West Bengal that will claim deduction money in case of death”.

In a post on (JJM).

Responding to Ms. Sitharaman’s claim that fresh liquid milk does not attract GST, Mr. Banerjee argued that this exemption is meaningless for families who cannot afford to buy fresh milk. “Perhaps she has not seen the mother who stretches her budget by mixing powdered milk for her infant,” he wrote, noting that powdered milk carries 5% GST. “Zero tax on things he can’t buy, 5% tax on things he has to buy,” he said.

He pointed out that although textbooks are exempt from GST, some items routinely used by students are not. Graph paper, laboratory notebooks and crayons attract 12% of the GST, he said, arguing that the Finance Minister’s claims ignore the practical needs of school children.

On healthcare, Mr. Banerjee acknowledged that medical consultations and treatment are tax-free, but said critical support elements are not. “Oxygen tank that keeps a COVID patient alive? 12% GST. Insulin injection that prevents a diabetic patient from dying? 5% GST. Anesthesia for surgery? 12% GST,” he said.

He added that funerals are exempt, but items used in final rites are not. “The agarbatti we burn for the deceased? 5% GST. Even grief has a price in the ‘New India’,” he wrote.

Mr. Banerjee said the difference between what is written in the GST Act and what appears on the grocery bills of poor households highlights the fundamental issue it raises. “Until we understand the difference… you will continue to live in your India while we live in ours,” he concluded, saying the Finance Minister had “proven his point as best as he could.”