One of the steps in the public interest by the Punjab government is waiving its share of GST on langar at key shrines in the state. According to the report, Capt. Amarinder Singh, Punjab Chief Minister announced the waiver of the state government’s 50 percent share in the GST (Goods and Services Tax) on community kitchens, better known as – langar sewa. The government has waived off the tax at key shrines of different communities which include the Golden Temple, Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath, Durgiana Temple and few other such holy places.
The move to waive off GST on Langer came through opposition’s suggestion
The move to waive off GST came from the leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira. It was the opposition leader’s suggestion during the course of the discussion that led to one of the major decisions by the Punjab government.
As per the report, Khaira suggested that though the matter to waive off GST on community kitchen is taken up with the centre, but Punjab should take lead to exempt the langer from GST at Golden Temple. In his suggestion, the leader of the Opposition Sukhpal Singh Khaira also stated that even if the government has to lose out some revenue it must not be a big issue as thousands of devotees partake langar at the Golden Temple.
Resolution passed unanimously
The resolution was moved by Manpreet Singh Badal, Minister for Finance & Planning and seconded by Brahm Mohindra, Health and Family Welfare Minister, was passed by voice vote. The resolution to waive off GST share on the langar items was unanimously passed by the House to press the central government immediately at Durgiana Mandir and Sri Darbar Sahib.
Capt. Amarinder Singh, Punjab Chief Minister, criticised the Shiromani Akali Dal (Shiromani Akali Dal) and its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), for not opposing the move to impose GST (Goods and Services Tax) before the GST Council. It was also clarified during the discussion that the waiver on the GST would not imply only on langar or prasad at the above mentioned holy places but it will also be followed for Bhagwan Valmiki Tirath Sthal and other such holy shrines of other communities in the state.
Source: Times of India
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