New Delhi: In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in the country, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) urged the central government to immediately exempt all-important medical equipment and medicines from GST.
An official statement by the Indian Youth Congress said, "Under the prevalent GST regime, hand sanitizers are taxed at 18%, face mask at 5% and Paracetamol Tablets, PPE kits, ventilators, etc are taxed at 12%. This taxing regime makes these products more expensive for hospitals and the public as it is increasing the expenditure at this critical juncture when people are struggling to make ends meet."
"It is pertinent that the government waves-off GST on these products to make them more affordable or by reducing the taxation/price at a point of consumption," said the statement.
Youth Congress also launched a social media hashtag '#GSTFreeCorona' thereby urging the BJP government, at the helm, to exempt all medical equipment and medicines, including ventilators, face masks, hand sanitizers, Paracetamol tablets and other lifesaving drugs from GST.
While explaining about the new initiative, IYC President, Shrinivas BV said, "Even today, people are paying a huge amount to buy simple face mask and sanitizers. Similarly, 12 per cent GST is levied on PPE kits and ventilators. It will weaken our fight against corona. Therefore, we are requesting the government to waive-off GST on medical equipment and medicines, at least till we are fighting against this pandemic."
AICC Joint Secretary, Krishna Allavaru said, "This campaign is not to achieve any political motive but is being done to strengthen the Nation's fight against COVID-19."
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