In a landmark judgement given by the Finance Minister, Piyush Goyal has announced that sanitary napkins will be exempt from GST, after a year long battle fought by women activists hailing from all parts of the country.
Sanitary napkins are taxed 12 per cent tax under the one-year old GST regime, which attracted serious criticism from social activists and common people alike. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 28th GST Council meeting, the minister also said that tax on bamboo also has been slashed to 12 per cent. This would mean there would be no input tax credit available, even though inputs in the production of sanitary napkins are taxed.
Piyush Goyal also announced that there will be no GST on stone, marble, rakhi, wooden deities, sal leaves. Lithium ion batteries, vacuum cleaners, food grinders, mixers, storage water heaters, head dryers, hand dryers, paint,varnishes, water cooler, milk cooler, ice cream coolers,perfumes, toilet sprays and toilet preparation brought to 18% from 28% slab.
This exemption of Sanitary Napkins from GST (Goods And Services Tax) has been welcomed by women activists all over. A biological function has surrounded by a lot of taboos and this move will help in removing them. This move will ensure that sanitary napkins remain affordable to women across the country and even in rural parts.