Annapoorna MD Apologizes Nirmala Sitharaman After GST Comments

Annapoorna chairman Srinivasan apologized to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman due to questioning her on GST in an entrepreneur's meeting in Coimbatore on September 12. This video of him apologizing released gets diverse reactions from the people.

Nirmala Sitharaman Meeting In Coimbatore:

Indian Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with entrepreneurs from various sectors, including small and micro industries, at the Codissia campus in Coimbatore on September 12.

The event, organized by Codissia and Lagu Udyog Bharati Industrial Organization, brought together business owners from Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Erode districts.

Coimbatore South MLA Vanathi Srinivasan was also present, and the meeting provided a platform for entrepreneurs to voice their concerns and make direct appeals to the Finance Minister.

Annapoorna Chairman Request:

During the meeting, the Annapoorna chairman emphasized the confusion caused by varying GST rates on items on the same bill. He pointed out that sweets are taxed at 5%, savouries at 12%, and cream-filled buns at 18%, while plain buns are not taxed at all.

Regarding this, he said in a funny way, "There is 5% GST on sweets but 12% on savouries, and 18% on cream-filled buns, whereas there is no GST on buns! Customers often complain, saying, ‘Just give me the bun, I’ll add the cream and jam myself,’“ said Srinivasan.

He also requested for a uniform GST rate on all food items, reasoning that the local dining habits in Tamil Nadu where sweets and savouries are often consumed together.

Srinivasan continued that the current GST system's complexity is causing issues for both shopkeepers and customers, mentioning how computer systems struggle with multiple tax rates on a single bill. Nirmala Sitharaman responded to the criticisms with a light-hearted demeanour in the meeting.

Annapoorna Chairman Apology Controversy:

Annapoorna is one of the famous hotels in Tamil Nadu. Srinivasan, the chairman of Sri Annapoorna Hotel, questioned about the GST issue video that went viral.

In this case, following the event, a video surfaced showing Srinivasan apologizing to Nirmala Sitharaman. In the video, he stated, "I am not part of any political party, please forgive me " bending down which sparked considerable controversy and debate about freedom of speech. The apology and the circumstances surrounding it led to a diverse range of public reactions and discussions.