Leaders Protest Against 18% GST on Life and Medical Insurance Premiums

Congress MPs and leaders from the INDIA alliance protested the imposition of 18% GST on life and medical insurance premiums, deeming it unfair and harmful to the common people. They demanded the rollback of this tax, citing its impact on health expenses and policy uptake.

Reacting to the 18% GST implemented on life and medical insurance premiums, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticized the move, arguing that essential services like life insurance should not be taxed. He emphasized that the country already faces high health expenses and the added GST is unfair.

Tharoor highlighted that the government's policy aims to provide life and health insurance to all by 2047, but taxing premiums makes this goal unattainable. He also pointed out the long-pending promise of an AIIMS in Kerala as part of broader health commitments.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari condemned the tax as a burden on those already struggling with health issues. He noted that even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had called for a rollback. Protests led by INDIA alliance leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, were held outside Parliament, while West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee urged the GST's withdrawal in a letter to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.