Fact Check: Do You Have To Pay 18% GST On Gangajal?

New Delhi: Following Congress’ criticism of Narendra Modi government for reportedly imposing an 18% GST on the Ganga river water, terming it as the height of loot and hypocrisy, Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) on Thursday issued a clarification regarding its applicability on Gangajal.

“Gangajal used in puja by households across the country and puja samagri is exempt under GST. GST on puja samagri was discussed in detail in the 14th and 15th meetings of the GST Council held in 2017 and decided to keep them in the exempt list. Therefore, all these items have been exempt since the introduction of GST,” it said in its social media post on X.

The Council had exempted goods such as kajal, kumkum, bindis, sindoor, alta, plastic and glass bangles, puja samagri of all kinds, from the purview of taxation under GST.

Earlier in the day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge took to X and wrote: “Modi ji, the importance of Mother Ganga, the provider of salvation, is very high for a common Indian from birth till the end of their life. It is good that you are in Uttarakhand today, but your government has imposed 18% GST on the holy Ganga water itself.”

“Not even once did you think what would be the burden on those who order Ganga water to be kept in their homes. This is the height of loot and hypocrisy of your government,” he also said.