Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao asks state govts to support lower GST rate on health insurance
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Bengaluru: Karnataka Minister of Health Dinesh Gundu Rao has requested the chief ministers, finance ministers and health ministers of seven states ruled by governments of non-BJP parties to urge the GST Council, during its meeting in New Delhi on Monday, to reduce the tax burden in health insurance for the people.
The Health Minister added that he has written to the West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala, Punjab, Jharkhand, and Himachal Pradesh state governments, amid a widespread demand to reduce the GST being levied on the premiums of health and insurance from 18 per cent to 5 per cent.
Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has said that an 18 pc GST creates an unnecessary burden on the lower and middle income families and also dissuades them from taking health insurance. He had brought this point to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, asking him to direct the GST Council to reduce the burden on at least the lower and middle income groups. He opined that a collective effort at communicating the matter would give the states a greater chance of gaining the required result.
Earlier too, many asked for a scrapping of GST on health insurance. The Opposition parties had raised the issue in Parliament, during the monsoon season last month, and also staged a protest outside the House demanding for a reduction.
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who heads the GST Council, the apex body on taxation policies and rates, has said that 54th meeting of the Council is scheduled for Monday, when the matter will be discussed.
The finance ministers of states are members of the GST Council and, as state governments are wary of possible shortfalls in revenue if a reduction in tax is implemented, arriving at a consensus during the Council meetings remains a challenge. A group of ministers headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary is looking rate rationalization, and the Council has asked for the appointment of a fitment committee, comprising the commercial tax officers of states, in order to analyse the implication of the proposed health insurance tax cut on the state revenue. The fitment committee report is expected on Monday.
C Shika, commercial tax commissioner and fitment committee member refused to divulge the details in the report as it was related to a government policy. The officer added that the document will be studied but the final decision on tax rate would be taken by the GST Council.
A majority of the Council members are reportedly in favour of a reduction in tax on health and life insurance policies with annual premiums up to Rs 50,000 and the Council may even consider capping the sum assured for a lower GST levy.
Trade representatives from the insurance sector have concurred on the need to lower the tax burden given the rising cost of healthcare. They said that the policy should aim at making healthcare affordable especially for the middle-class citizens.
Dr. KT Venkatesh, Deputy Vice-president of HDFC Ergo, has said that the GST should be exempted for health insurance policies up to Rs 5 lakh, as this what the bulk of the middle-class opts for. The measure would be in line with the Union government’s ‘health for all’ policy too, he opined.
The GST Council is also expected to discuss the rate rationalization of all other commodities and services, as several states, including Karnataka, have asked for compensation for a shortfall in revenue if rates are rationalized.
Basavaraj Rayareddi, economic advisor to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, said that the government has been firm in its demand that the Centre should adequately compensate states as a slash in rates would cause revenue implications.
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UP: BJP MLA falls on rail track while flagging off Vande Bharat train
Etawah (UP), Sep 16: BJP's Etawah MLA Sarita Bhadauriya fell onto the railway tracks while vying to wave the green flag for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express here on Monday.
Purported videos of the incident surfaced on social media.
The incident occurred amidst a crowded platform as the train arrived around 6 pm. The 61-year-old second-term BJP lawmaker was among a host of people holding the green flag as they stood at the platform, the video showed.
Following the virtual inauguration of the Vande Bharat train by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the train, numbered 20175, was flagged off by the Rail Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu from Agra.
When contacted by PTI, BJP's Etawah unit treasurer Sanjeev Bhadauriya said, "The MLA was helped off the track and she then waited for some time at the platform for the flag-off event."
"Later she consulted doctors and is resting at her home now. She did not suffer any visible physical injuries. If there is any internal injury, it is yet to be confirmed," Bhadauriya said.
The train made stops at Tundla before arriving at Etawah station. Upon its arrival, a commotion ensued on the platform as various political figures, including Samajwadi Party MP Jitendra Douwhare, former BJP MP Ram Shankar, and current MLA Sarita Bhadauriya, gathered to participate in the flag-off, the videos showed.
As the train's horn signalled its departure, the platform became chaotic with supporters jostling for position. In the ensuing melee, the MLA was pushed off the platform and she fell onto the railway tracks in front of the train, it showed.
The train was stopped in time by bystanders, preventing a major accident. Bhadauriya was quickly rescued from the tracks by the police and taken to the hospital, according to eyewitnesses.
Talking about the operation date for the Vande Bharat Express, PRO Prashasti Srivastava from the Agra division of the railways said that the date will be announced soon.
The train will cover the distance between Agra and Varanasi in approximately seven hours. The return train will operate as number 20176 from Varanasi to Agra, while the Agra-Varanasi service will be number 20175.
Etawah, UP: The flag-off ceremony for the Agra-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express faced chaos due to heavy rush, and BJP's Etawah Sadar MLA, Sarita Bhadoria, fell in front of the train pic.twitter.com/p10CfbDIF0
— IANS (@ians_india) September 16, 2024
