The sale of the Indian national flag, whether machine produced or made of polyester, is free from the Goods and Services Tax (GST), according to the finance ministry on Friday, news agency PTI reported.
Hand-woven and hand-spun national flags made of cotton, silk, wool, or Khadi are already GST-free.
Following revisions to the 'Flag Code of India, 2002' in December last year, the Revenue Department confirmed in an office memorandum that polyester or machine-made tricolour would also be free from the duty.
Taking to Twitter, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's office writes, "It has been clarified that the sale of the Indian National Flag, adhering to the Flag Code 2002 and its subsequent amendments, is exempt from GST."
The finance ministry's statement came in the midst of the 'Har Ghar Tiranga' effort as part of the 'Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav' — a 75-year celebration of India's independence.
It hopes to inspire Indians all around the world to fly the national flag at home. The initiative's goal is to instil patriotism in the hearts of the people and raise knowledge about our national flag.
The Indian Flag Code compiles all laws, norms, practices, and directions regarding the display of the national flag.
In December 2021, the Flag Code of India, 2002 was revised, and tricolour flags made of polyester or machine-made flags were permitted.
The tricolour can now be fashioned of hand-spun and hand-woven cotton/polyester/wool/silk/khadi bunting or machine-manufactured cotton/polyester/wool/silk/khadi bunting.
(With PTI Inputs)