The Madras High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the Union government on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking removal of the 18% Goods and Service Tax (GST) on sanitizers and 5% GST on masks in these difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic or at least for next few months.
A division bench of Justices M Sathyanarayanan and M Nirmal Kumar posted the matter for further hearing to May 18. Petitioner S Stalinraja, an advocate, submitted that certain ingredients are taxable. “still in these difficult times or at least for next few months if GST is not levied on sanitizers and masks it would be a big relief for the people in our country.”
He further stated that 23% of the population in India are under the poverty line and not in a position to afford essential goods such as masks and sanitizers.
The three-judge bench headed by Justice N.V. Ramana dismissed the PIL seeking removal of the 18% Goods and Service Tax (GST) on sanitizers and 5% GST on masks and said, “you are an advocate and we think you do not have work at this time but it does not mean that you will file anything.”
