GST has become the topic of debate for the opposition party and we couldn’t see any changes in the conduct even after the Modi government reduced products under 28% slab rate in 23rd GST Council meeting. On the one side, the opposition is mentioning the changes not as per the expectation and on another side, the tweaks in taxes on some products have dragged the issue to the high court.
The issue of 12% GST implication on sanitary napkins has raised to Delhi high court as a petition has been filed regarding the same. While considering the petition, the high court has asked the central government to respond to the issue.
Recently a youth wing of the political party has publicized campaign against the GST levying on sanitary napkins. It is requesting to the GST council for the exemption of 12 percent tax rates on sanitary napkins under GST. Nearly 790 MP’s have sent letter from the main post office of Raipur seeking for support on the issue and said that those MP’s, who did not support the issue will send sanitary napkins after 15 days.
Question Asked By The High Court
High Court asked the government that when Kajal, Bindi, and Sindoor are put out of GST ambit, then what is the story behind including sanitary napkins under 12% of GST. Furthermore, the government wants to know whether the government wants to tweak the rate or not.
Response Of Government
On the notice from the Delhi High court, the government has presented an affidavit in front of the court. In the affidavit, the central government has mentioned the reason that the raw material for sanitary napkins is imported to India. At the same time, there is some practical problem due to which it is not possible for the government to reduce 12% GST on Sanitary Napkins.
Sanitary Napkins Should Be Exempted from GST
A campaign has been launched by a group of students in Gwalior, they are requesting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to eliminate 12 percent GST on sanitary napkins and it should be free of taxes. A campaign was launched by the students on 4th January 2018 to promote awareness that problems being faced by women and trying to make efforts on women empowerment. They have been getting a good response from the people through social media.
The student feels that it is not only the need of women but also the entire nation wants to implement this move and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi is the only one who can reduce the cost of sanitary napkins by eliminating 12 percent GST from it or it should be exempted from GST.
In the rural areas of the country, the women generally use traditional methods in their menstruation days, which is harmful to their health and also creates several communicable diseases. One of the students said that, if the sanitary napkins are available free then the women will remain healthy.
