Mamata Banerjee Supports Demand to Withdraw GST on Life and Medical Insurance Premiums

GG News Bureau
Kolkata, 2nd August. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has supported the call to eliminate the 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on life and medical insurance premiums, arguing that it negatively impacts people’s ability to address their essential health needs.

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari initially raised the demand for GST withdrawal, emphasizing that taxing life and medical insurance premiums burdens individuals during uncertain times. Several opposition leaders, including Congress MP Karti Chidambaram, Samajwadi Party MP Rajeev Kumar Rai, and RJD MP AD Singh, have supported this demand.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, Banerjee expressed strong opposition to the tax: “Our demand to the Government of India is to roll back GST from life insurance and medical insurance premiums on 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.”

She further warned that if the central government does not address the issue, “we will be bound to hit the road.”

The GST Council, which is responsible for tax decisions, is set to meet in August to discuss various tax-related matters. The last meeting was held on June 22.