SHOOTING GEAR EXEMPTED FROM GOODS AND SERVICES TAX

NEWDELHI: Ahead of the 2018 competitive season, the shooting community got a big respite as all equipment, including rifles and pistols, have been exempted from the Goods & Services Tax. With the government’s new notification coming into effect from Wednesday, no tariff will be levied on equipment imported by renowned shooters for training purpose.

Shooters scoring minimum qualifying score (MQS) in their respective events at the national level will only be exempted from paying the tariff. Eligible shooters should also have a certificate of merit from the National Rifle Association of India (NRAI).

Besides shooting equipment, the government has in public interest exempted more than 30 sports equipment, including archery, from paying tax when importing goods for training.

GST was introduced in July and the policy drew flak from sportspersons.

MANAVJIT LEADS

Former World Champion Manavjit Singh Sandhu and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Shreyasi Singh, respectively, led the field in the men’s and women’s trap events on the first day of the 61st National Shooting Championship on Wednesday.

Manavjit shot 49 out of 50 after two rounds and leads junior Aman Ali Elahi who is also on the same score, while Rio Olympian Kynan Chenai is in third place with a score of 48.

Shreyasi, representing Bihar, meanwhile, shot a perfect 25 after one round to lead from army woman Shikha Bhadauria who shot 22 and Punjab’s Rajeshwari Kumari with 21 was lying third. The Trap events will enter their final day on Thursday.

WITH THE GOVT’S NEW NOTIFICATION COMING INTO EFFECT, NO TARIFF WILL BE LEVIED ON EQUIPMENT IMPORTED BY SHOOTERS FOR TRAINING PURPOSES