TMC Demands Rollback of GST on Health Insurance, Threatens Protests

TMC leader Sudip Bandyopadhyay criticizes 18 per cent GST on health insurance, calling it "anti-people". Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee demands its removal and threatens larger protests. TMC also slams BJP for withholding funds for the 100-day wage scheme, seeking financial transparency.

All India Trinamool Congress leader and MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Friday criticized the Union government for imposing an 18 per cent GST on medical and health insurance, terming it as "anti-people" and harmful to citizens. Addressing reporters, Bandyopadhyay noted that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had already raised this issue.

Bandyopadhyay asserted, "We have raised the demand that GST on life insurance premiums and medicines be withdrawn immediately. This GST is anti-people and is negatively impacting citizens." He urged the government to revoke the move, calling on Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to declare the rollback in the House. Bandyopadhyay warned of street protests led by Mamata Banerjee if necessary while TMC MPs in Lok Sabha staged a protest demanding the GST removal.

Earlier, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had urged the central government to revoke the GST on life and medical insurance premiums through a post on X, stating that it impedes people's ability to meet their basic health needs. Banerjee warned that failure to remove the GST would force the TMC to resort to street protests. Furthermore, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh accused the BJP of withholding funds for the 100-day wage employment scheme, attributing it to political vendetta. He highlighted that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee had requested a white paper on budget allocations to West Bengal from Finance Minister Sitharaman, which remains unmet.

Ghosh stated that the lack of funds had compelled the Chief Minister to use Rs 59 lakh from state resources while accusing the BJP of favoring BJP-governed states. He maintained that the TMC would continue to protest inside and outside Parliament for the release of funds for the 100-day wage employment and housing schemes. Insisting on transparency, Ghosh demanded a white paper on MGNREGA funding and housing schemes from the Finance Minister, noting that the protest would intensify under Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee's leadership.

(With inputs from agencies.)