SGPC writes to state government, seeks exemption

AMRITSAR: After failing to convince the Centre on Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) chief Kirpal Singh Badungar has now moved to Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh, seeking exemption from state GST on gurdwaras, on Friday.

In the letter written to the CM, the SGPC chief said that main income source of gurdwaras is donation given by devotees and this money is spent on the management of gurdwaras, langar service, financial aid to the needy, aid for treatment of cancer patients, spread of religion, education, sports and other social welfare tasks as per Gurdwara Act of 1925.

“The then Punjab government had given exemption from VAT on purchase of langar and other items required for the Golden Temple, the ‘Takhts’ (temporal seats of Sikhs) and other Sikh shrines through notifications in 2005 and 2008,” said Badungar.

“However, the gurdwaras are not being given any exemption from GST, which has recently been imposed. This will leave the gurdwaras to reel under an annual burden of ₹10 crore,” the letter read.

“As GST is of two types — Central GST and state GST, the state can give exemption to Harmandar Sahib, Anandpur Sahib, Damdama Sahib and other gurdwaras in Punjab,” the SGPC chief said, adding, “The CM should give exemption on pattern of exemption given by the previous government.” HTC