The Weight of Unfulfilled Vision: A Former CEA's Candid Reflections on India's GST

It's truly something when a key architect of an economic vision steps forward, years later, to express deep regret over its eventual shape. That's precisely what Arvind Subramanian, India's former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA), did when he recently spoke about the Goods and Services Tax (GST). His feelings? A profound sense of disappointment, a sentiment that clearly lingers even after his departure from the crucial corridors of North Block.

Subramanian, you see, was instrumental in shaping the conceptual framework for GST, advocating for what he passionately believed should be a 'good and simple tax.' The idea was to streamline India's convoluted indirect tax regime, fostering a seamless, unified national market. But, as he candidly shared, the GST that ultimately took root was, in his eyes, a far cry from that elegant vision. He lamented its complex, multi-tiered structure, a departure from the simple, single-rate or dual-rate system he had championed.

What's truly striking is the intensity of his commitment, even after stepping down. He revealed a relentless advocacy, a tireless effort to nudge the policy in what he believed was the right direction. Imagine this: "I would text Jaitley 10 times sometimes," he recounted, referring to the late Finance Minister Arun Jaitley. This wasn't just a casual chat; these were urgent, persistent communications, a former top advisor still desperately trying to influence the course of a monumental economic reform. It speaks volumes about his conviction and, frankly, the frustration he must have felt seeing his brainchild evolve into something he barely recognized.

His disappointment isn't merely academic; it carries a tangible emotional weight. He had, after all, dedicated considerable intellectual energy and time to this grand project. To see it implemented with complexities he believed would hinder its transformative potential must have been disheartening. He envisioned a system that would dramatically reduce compliance burdens and fuel economic efficiency, but the reality, for him, seemed to fall short of that promise.

So, even after leaving North Block, the experience of the GST's rollout clearly stayed with him. It's a powerful reminder that while policies are drafted and implemented by governments, the personal convictions and intellectual honesty of those involved can often lead to such candid, and perhaps painful, retrospectives. Subramanian's words offer a rare glimpse into the heart of policymaking, revealing not just the technicalities but the very human emotions tied to national economic destiny.