GST triggers shooters’ plight
SETBACK With escalating cost of equipment, shooters feel the boom in sport will go down
India’s top shooters, who depend on imported equipment to excel, are worried about spiralling costs as government has included sports goods under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and placed them on a high slab.
Expensive equipment could restrict the growth of shooting, a discipline with high potential for medals, believe the country’s top marksmen, who have sought an immediate review.
The new levies mean the price of a shotgun has gone up from ~6 lakh to ~7.5 lakh. An air pistol, which earlier cost around ~1.20 lakh, will cost around ~1.70 lakh.
To encourage Olympic disciplines, the government had exempted top shooters from paying customs duty on imported weapons and ammunition. However, the introduction of GST has taken away that concession.
Under the new policy, 28 % tax will be levied on pistol and revolver while rifle, shotgun and ammunition are in the 18 % tax slab. The rest of the equipment is in the 12 % slab.
Former pistol shooter and current junior national coach, Jaspal Rana, said shooting isn’t confined to the elite but many youngsters from humble background are taking up the sport in a big way.
“The junior shooters gave a good account of themselves in the recent World Championships in Munich. It was all due to the government’s liberal policy on import. But it could be big setback if the government doesn’t review its tax policy.”
According to Rana, officials formulating policy may be unaware of the growth of shooting in India. “It’s highly competitive at international level. To get an edge, best equipment for training is needed. If there is additional burden on the shooters, it might hamper progress,” Rana added.
Olympian and former world champion in trap, Manavjit Singh Sandhu, also expressed concern. “It’s a serious issue, the earlier it is sorted out the better. There is no logic in imposing tax as it will spoil all the good work done,” he told Hindustan Times.
The government exempting shooting equipment from customs duty had led to outstanding results, he said. “Our shooters have excelled at the Worlds and Olympics. At a time when we should be focusing on the 2018 CWG and Asian Games, athletes are burdened with additional tax,” he said.
Former international shotgun shooter, Mansher Singh said shooters will have no option but to bear the tax burden. “Paying extra means compromising on other aspects that help athletes fine-tune for big events. Expensive equipment will discourage beginners from taking up shooting,” he added.
It is not the shooting community alone that is at the crossroads. Billiards and snooker is also feeling the burden of GST. Cue sports have been clubbed with parlour and video games and is placed in the 28 % tax slab. Accessories have also become expensive.
The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) and the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India have apprised the finance ministry of the gravity of the situation and await a response.
India’s good show was due to govt’s liberal policy on import. But it could be a setback if it doesn’t review its tax policy
At a time when we should be focusing on the 2018 Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, athletes are burdened with additional tax.