Congress pulls up Kerala govt, dubs ‘fat tax’ as absurd

The Congress Party on Saturday dubbed the Oommen Chandy-led Kerala Government's move to impose 14.5% tax on pizzas, burgers and other junk food as absurd and beyond imagination. Taking a jibe at the move, Congress leader Shobha Oza said it now seems the people of this country would have to give tax even for their breath in the coming days.

"This is absurd and the people should oppose it. You cannot discriminate among food as to which food will have tax and which will not," Oza said.

"Tomorrow the people can stand-up and can say that butter, dosa is as calorie packed as a pizza or burger. So, how do you justify that? This is really absurd," she added. After alcohol ban, the Kerala Government has proposed a 14.5 percent 'fat tax' on burgers, pizzas and other junk food served in branded restaurants.

The Kerala Government has also levied a five percent tax on packaged atta, maida, suji, rava and packaged basmati rice.