The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has requested to the Central Government that sanitary napkins should be exempted under GST Regime. MNS leader Shalini Thackeray has met with the finance minister Arun Jaitley to discuss this issue. The Government has announced 12-per cent tax rate on sanitary napkins under the new indirect taxation structure, which is going to be rolled out from 1st July.
MNS Leader Raj Thackeray said, “You can’t tax a woman for being a woman. Arun Jaitley Ji went through the entire memorandum that we presented to him and assured me that the center, as well as the state, will look into the issue. The MNS is batting for basic dignity of women. There is no point creating awareness till sanitary napkins are available and affordable. If sanitary napkins are taxed under GST, it amounts to women being taxed for a commodity that’s a necessity for them. We are urging the government to consider only Indian-manufactured sanitary napkins and those that are biodegradable.”
Raj Thackeray also displayed a detailed written document in the meeting, which supports her party’s request so that the women got relief from the tax. She also added, “A lot of women groups have come forward to oppose the GST and another cess on sanitary napkins. We also requested Jaitley to bring non-biodegradable sanitary napkins under the Essential Commodities Act so that they don’t exceed a particular price. Imposing the tax on sanitary napkins is unfair since condoms have not been placed under GST.”
However, it clarifies that through GST exemption MNC would not be benefited. Thackeray also said, “There is no point in helping multinational companies with the exemption. This should only be for locally manufactured pads and the government must promote local self- help groups in this regard. There should be a price cap for sanitary napkins too.”
She also requested to the finance minister to promote the schools and colleges to install sanitary napkins vending machines. Apart from that, Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has also requested to the Union finance minister Arun Jaitley to revise the taxation rates on food items such as Horlicks, Complan, Butter, Ghee, Bournvita and also sanitary napkins.
