Golden Temple has paid ₹2-cr GST on langar items: SGPC

The SGPC has been seeking GST exemption on langar items from the Union govt. But all our pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

SGPC officials

AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has claimed that the goods and service tax (GST) has caused heavy burden on the Golden Temple as it had to pay ₹2 crore as GST, while purchasing ration items for langar (free community kitchen) and parshad to be distributed among devotees , ever since the new tax regime came into force.

Revealing details, SGPC spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said, “From July 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018, we have paid ₹2 crore as GST on purchase of different items required in the langar at the Golden Temple.”

The langar at the Golden Temple is considered as largest community kitchen in the world.

“The SGPC has been fighting for getting exemption from the GST on langar items through letters and deputations. However, its efforts have failed to bear fruit so far, ” said the SGPC officials.

FINANCE MINISTER JAITELY’S CLAIM

However, Union finance minister, Arun Jaitley, has dismissed the claims, saying, “No GST has been imposed on the food served in langar and dismissed the charges that government has imposed GST on langar in gurdwaras”.

SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal took a strong note of Jaitley’s statement terming it misleading.

He said “The statement is far from the truth and facts. This is totally wrong and misleading. GST is being charged on the purchase of langar items.”