Priyank Kharge, the IT minister of Karnataka and the son Congress Chief Mallikarjuna Kharge criticised Prime Minister Modi meeting the gamers for a candid interaction earlier this week. Kharge in a tweet said PM Modi is interacting with the gamers after killing the gaming industry in the GST Council last year. He was referring to GST Council meeting in July and August 2023 where 28% GST was approved for skill gaming on full value of the bet. The changes became effective from 1 October 2023. 

Referring to PM Modi’s statement that “there is no need for regulation” (in gaming industry), Kharge junior said the union government has done very little to even understand their concerns.

Kharge said PM Modi is now seeking suggestions while gaming companies have already presented their concerns on regulating the money gaming industry to the concerned Minister and to GST council on many occasions.

The Karnataka minister concluded that the interaction of PM Modi with gamers is just another event keeping the ongoing elections in mind and the reality is BJP Government is killing the gaming industry investments and job opportunities.

It is worth noting that Kharge junior is a critic of the Centre sending notices to online gaming companies asking to pay up goods and services tax (GST) at 28% with retrospective effect and the new regime implemented from 1 October 2023.

In December 2023, he said while gaming companies want to be regulated, but Central Govt is being unrealistic and unreasonable with their demands, which is not only killing employment in the sector. On GST aspect, he also earlier said government doesn’t understand technology.