‘GST After Death?’ Sitharaman Takes Dig at TMC During Budget Reply

New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Wednesday strongly criticised the West Bengal government while responding to the Budget 2026–27 debate in the Lok Sabha. Hitting back at TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee’s comments on GST, Sitharaman dismissed the claim of “GST after death” and alleged that practices like “cut money” were prevalent in the state. She questioned why fuel prices in West Bengal were significantly higher, asking why the state government had not reduced the burden on the common man. The Finance Minister also flagged concerns over law and order, citing crimes against women, and rejected TMC’s claims over the Dankuni freight corridor, asserting the Centre’s proposal was a fresh and independent initiative.