GST hits a wounded civilisation

In support: A supporter of India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) holds a placard during a rally to support implementation of the goods and services tax in Mumbai, India recently. — Reuters

IF you think we have it bad with our goods and services tax (GST), you should pity the poor Indian.

On July 1, India finally bit the bullet and adopted a single, unified GST across the nation. This came a year after the government abruptly withdrew 86% of the country’s currency from circulation in a final – and perhaps decisive – attempt at merging the nation’s real economy with its shadow one.