West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has issued a stern warning to the central government, stating she will take to the streets if the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life and medical insurance premiums is not abolished.
In a post on social media platform X, Banerjee wrote, “Our demand to the Government of India is to roll back GST from life insurance and medical insurance premium on the grounds of people’s health imperatives. This GST is bad because it adversely affects the people’s ability to take care of their basic vital needs.”
Emphasizing her resolve, she added that she would “hit the road” if the “anti-people GST” is not removed from insurance costs.
This statement comes on the heels of a similar appeal made by Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari. Four days prior, Gadkari had urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to eliminate the GST on these insurance premiums, arguing that it effectively “levies taxes on the uncertainties of life.”
In a letter dated July 28, Gadkari noted, “(The tax) becomes cumbersome for the senior citizens.” He also mentioned that the tax on these premiums is “restricting the growth of the industry.”
