Three cheers for GST – biggest achievement is cooperative federalism, which was unthinkable earlier

Those who criticise the GST too much do not seem to remember how bad the situation was earlier. Look at the rates of duty pre-GST. Central excise rates were 2, 8, 10, 12, 14, 24, 37.5, and 42 percent plus cess. There was one service tax rate, but there were many exemptions. Sales tax rates were numerous, and in each state, they differed. Add to this the central sales tax. And entry tax. Exemptions…