Marking a significant move, the Government of India has finally decided to reimburse Goods and Service Tax collected from charitable institutions. Every paisa collected through GST on Langar will be returned by Govt of India, as per the notification issued on Friday morning.
After tireless efforts by the Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the tax has finally been waived off by the Government of India.
‘For months my heart was heavy with the burden of GST being levied on Langar. Like all Sikhs it was hurting my sentiments too. Since the Punjab Government totally failed to take it up with the GST council, I decided to fight for justice for langar and pursue it at every level I could. Besides getting support from Nitish kumar Ji and Devendra Fadnavis Ji, I personally met PM Shri Narender Modi ji and conveyed to him the sentiments of my community. I had decided to make whatever sacrifice I needed to to achieve justice for Langar.', said Minister of Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
'I am eternally grateful to Guru Sahab that he helped me to convince Hon’ble PM Modi ji, who left no stone unturned to ensure early solution to the GST issue of Langar. Last evening the notification has been done to my request of reimbursing all CGST and IGST on ALL religious/ charitable institutions serving free Langar for last 5 years. This way, not just Gurdwaras but also temples, churches, mosque serving Langar will all get GST reimbursed. Anyone serving free food to humanity will not be taxed! Sikh Panth once again lived up to “Deh siva var mohe yahi, shubh karman se kabhu na taru; Na darun arsun jab jai larun, nishchay kar apni jeet karun” as envisioned by Dashmesh Pita,' she added.
-PTC News
