STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) has slammed the decision of the GST Council to levy 5 percent tax on milk products and other daily essential items.
The GST Council in its 47th meeting had unanimously decided to go for a rate hike on several daily essential items. Pre-packed, pre-labelled curd, lassi, paneer and milk will attract GST at a rate of 5 per cent from July 18, as per the decision of the GST Council. Exemptions were also withdrawn on daily staples such as pre-packaged or labelled rice, wheat, flour, etc. Hospital room rent (excluding ICU) exceeding Rs 5,000 per day per patient will be taxed now. The GST Council also decided to bring hotel rooms at Rs 1,000 per day under the 12 per cent GST slab, as opposed to tax exemption category at present.
AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal said, "The GST Council's decision has added to the burden of common people who are already struggling with the price rise of essential commodities. At a time when the government should have given some respite to the people, it has made their lives more difficult." He further said, "The Prime Minister had promised to create 2 crore jobs every year. On the contrary, lakhs of people have become unemployed and many people have lost their means of livelihood."
Ajmal demanded that the government should roll back the decision to impose GST on milk products and other essential items.
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