GST: Sanitary Napkins and Cigarettes to Become Expensive from July 1

The higher taxes on sanitary napkins and cigarettes are going to influence people's choices dramatically, both impacting personal health in severe ways.

New Delhi, June 30: Sanitary napkins, much to the displeasure of many people will not be cheaper with the rolling out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), a report claimed. As this historic tax reform is all set to be launched at midnight, the country wanted sanitary napkins to become tax-free. As per reports, sanitary napkins are taxed at 12 per cent under the GST.

As per Daily O, a woman activist, Ranjana Kumari, was assured by Finance Minister that sanitary napkins would be made tax-free. She also reportedly in this regards, took signatures of around 3 lakh women as a form of testimony for the demand. Reportedly, even actor Konkana Sen Sharma shares the same opinion about making sanitary napkins duty-free.

Sharma was quoted by news agency IANS saying that if people do not have any control over their bodily function, how can it be considered to be taxed under luxury goods. Adding further on the same note, she said, “I don’t know why adults are laughing when such an important question is being raised. We talk about the toothbrush, toilet paper, toothpaste but the moment sanitary napkin comes, we all go ‘haw sanitary’ like we are in school.”

Cigarettes to become expensive:

As per reports, under the single tax regime, cigarettes have been put in the highest tax slab of 28 per cent. Times of India report suggests that with this tax slab a 5 per cent of cess will also be imposed. With this the Narendra Modi government seems to be sending a clear message that it wants people to cut down on smoking. Reports claim that it had also earlier planned to hammer down on the sale of loose cigarettes across the country.