Congress wants GST on LPG gas cylinder rolled back

New Delhi, July 4 (IANS) The Congress on Tuesday demanded that the government roll back five per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the domestic LPG cylinders, as it will burden the ordinary people most.

"Before launching GST, the Finance Ministry had on June 15 released a list stating that the cost of few items will come down, but like always this was also a lie," said Congress spoksesperson Ajay Maken.

"It's first effect was seen on domestic LPG cylinders, in which about Rs 32 have been increased across the country," he stressed.

"Increase in the cost of cylinders would affect the homemakers. We demand that the GST on LPG cylinders should be rolled back," he added.

"Basic items like food and beverages, helmets, dialysis, blood tests, clothes, footwear, hair oil, toothpaste, soaps, cornflex, tea, coffee, butter, biscuits, curd, cement and mineral water have been bracketed in 18 per cent and 28 per cent slabs. Ordinary citizens are suffering because of this," said Maken.

Maken also said that international crude oil prices have gone down but the government has not reduced the prices of petrol and other items.

"Because of this, the government is earning a profit of Rs. 3 lakh crore. While it is earning profit, the ordinary families and poor are suffering because of GST on gas cylinders."

Maken also said the government had reduced interest rates on small savings schemes like Public Provident Fund, National Savings Certifacate, Kisan Vikas Patra and Senior Citizens Savings Scheme.

"Due to this, the ordinary people and the poor will be affected. This is absolutely wrong. Through GST, the government wants to collect more tax. GST has become 'Gayi Savings Tumhari' (your savings are gone)," he said.