Patanjali quizzes tax on ayurveda
New Delhi, May 28: Disappointed over high GST rate on ayurvedic products that provide “care and cure to common man at affordable price”, Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Ayurved has asked the government as to how can people feel and live ‘Achhe Din’ without the right to good health.
In a similar vein, industry body AMAM also said that while the government is aggressively promoting ayurveda globally, high tax incidence under GST will make the natural medicines costly and out of reach of the common people back home.
GST rate for classical or generic range of ayurvedic medicines must be nil and 5 per cent for patented products instead of the proposed 12 per cent, the Association of Manufacturers of Ayurvedic Medicines (AMAM) has said.
At present the ayurvedic medicines and products have a total tax incidence of 7 per cent, including VAT, depending on the items. Under the GST regime, these items have been kept at 12 per cent.
“Higher GST on ayurvedic category has surprised us and is very disappointing and disheartening,” Patanjali Ayurved Ltd and Patanjali Yogpeeth spokesman S.K. Tijarawala told PTI in an emailed response. He further said ayurveda, which provides care and cure to common man at affordable price and is ancient and proven therapy for ages, doesn’t deserve such treatment.
“Good health and healthy living is common man’s basic right and expectation. Without all these, how can one feel and live ‘Achhe Din’?” he said.
Echoing similar sentiments, AMAM general secretary Pradeep Multani said: “The Indian government has been aggressively promoting ayurvedic products internationally but what’s the point of doing these things when the tax rate is so high and the common people can’t afford it at home?”