Waive Off GST On Medical Items Used In Combating Covid-19: Rahul Gandhi To Modi Govt

On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi asked the central government to waive off GST on the essential medical items that are being used to treat Covid-19 patients.

File Photo

New Delhi: On Monday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and asked the central government to waive off GST on the essential medical items that are being used to treat Covid-19 patients and are being used to prevent its further spread. These essential items include sanitizers, masks, liquid handwash, furniture such as hospital beds and medicines being used for treating Coronavirus patients. "In these difficult times, we have been demanding that the equipment and other necessary items essential for combating the pandemic should be made GST free. It's wrong that the public which is already reeling under disease and poverty is being charged GST on soap, sanitiser, mask and gloves," - Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

#Covid19 के इस मुश्किल वक्त में हम लगातार सरकार से माँग कर रहे हैं कि इस महामारी के उपचार से जुड़े सभी छोटे-बड़े उपकरण GST मुक्त किए जाएँ।बीमारी और ग़रीबी से जूझती जनता से सैनीटाईज़र, साबुन, मास्क, दस्ताने आदि पर GST वसूलना ग़लत है। #GSTFreeCorona माँग पर हम डटे रहेंगे। pic.twitter.com/iXLkw7lMxM

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 20, 2020

The Congress party has been actively talking about Coronavirus spread and has at several points presented their critique of the way the Narendra Modi led central government is handling the pandemic. Several leaders have also been offering their suggestions to the government on the same. Congress' Consultative Committee headed by former prime minister Manmohan Singh met on Monday and has demanded that the government give Rs 7500 cash transfer to all Jan Dhan and pension accounts of widows, disabled and old age persons. Congress said that the government must find the funds to transfer Rs 7500 direct as a cash transfer. The consultative committee also discussed issues ranging from the MSME and Agriculture sectors. Former Union Minister Jairam Ramesh who is a member of the committee, addressing a press conference, said that "the committee will give the recommendation on the MSME and agriculture sector in a day or two and government has no dearth of money so they should transfer cash immediately." (With agency inputs.) Watch: India's doubling rate improved to 7.5 days: Health Ministry