Bar Bart from Rajasthan became viral on social media after the customer noticed that he added 20% of the “cow Cess” to his beer order in Jodhpur. An unusual fee caused a wide debate online, many questioning logic and transparency for such a fee.
According to the viral law, the customer ordered corn pancakes and six beers at Geoffrey’s Bar at Jodhpur’s Park Plaza 30 September. Total taxes were taxes £2 650, but after adding GST, VAT and 20% cow’s Cess has increased the final account £3 262.
The term “Cow Cess” left several Internet users confused, provoking a discussion about whether it was a new fee. However, the state government and hotel authorities explained that CESS is not new – it was introduced in 2018 under the Value Added Tax Act in Rajasthan in 2003.
“This government announcement has existed since 2018,” said NDTV Nikhil Prem, hotel manager. “Every time we charge 20% VAT, we also add 20% cow Cess to the amount of VAT.
What is cows?
Cow Cess is a special surcharge collected by Rajasthan’s government to raise funds for good living conditions and cows protection. The collected money is designed to maintain shelters for cows (Gaušhalas), provision of veterinary care, feeding of stray cattle and supportive infrastructure to maintain them.
CESS was first introduced by the BJP government led by Vasundhara Raje in 2018 to 10% and later raised to 20% in all categories of liqueur-including foreign, Indian, agricultural liqueurs and beers. Politics was left by the subsequent rule of Congress led by Ashok Gehlot.
Public reaction
The viral place was divided by public opinion. Some users supported the idea of using CESS for good living conditions of animals, while others criticized it as an unnecessary financial burden.
One social media user noted: “I support the good living conditions of animals, but if every cause gets its own CESS, what is the sense of existing taxes?” Another joked: “Cancel the tax at this rate and create a new fee for everything.”
Others accused the government of abuse of funds and claimed that bids for hiding cows often go to political initiates, while the conditions in the shelters remain poor. One user summed up public frustration and said, “The public is first a fool and then a cow.”
As the debate on the purpose and transparency of such fees continues, the viral law ruled a discussion on how states balance the social causes of tax policies.
(Tagstotranslate) Rajasthan
