Congress Pressure Forces Modi Government to Remove 18% GST on Ganga Jal

According to Hindu mythology, truth and Ganga Jal, or water from the Ganges, go hand in hand. The holy river does not flow with lies.

The 18% goods and services tax (GST) on Ganga Jal is currently the source of contention between the Congress and the BJP. The BJP sharply retaliated against the Congress's criticism of the Narendra Modi government for taxing Ganga Jal, a crucial component of all Hindu religious rites, calling the charge "false propaganda."

It appears that the Congress was correct, since the Modi administration removed the tax due to pressure.

"The Modi government resorted to extracting 18 per cent GST even on Ganga Jal, which is used in every Hindu ritual from birth to death," stated Supriya Shrinate, a spokesperson for the Congress, during a press conference. The BJP spokespersons and purveyors of fake news shamelessly lied when the Congress president voiced dissent, saying that the materials used in puja are GST-exempt. But since there existed a real 18% tax, this falsehood had to be disclosed.

"The central government launched this scheme of selling Ganga Jal through India Post in 2016," stated Shrinate. The 250 ml bottle was supplied by the postal department for Rs 30, but after 18% GST was applied, the price increased to Rs 35. On August 8, the government issued an order levying an 18% tax on Ganga Jal. India Post tweeted on August 18 that the tax had increased the bottle's price to Rs 35. We are making the order copy available.

Mallikarjun Kharge, the president of the Congress, quickly objected, calling this the height of "loot and hypocrisy." Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister of Chhattisgarh, brought up the subject as well, questioning if the BJP wanted to stop the underprivileged from worshiping their gods. The Congress, according to the Chhattisgarh BJP's complaint to the Election Commission, was disseminating false information.

Amit Malviya, the head of the BJP's IT unit, entered the discussion and refuted the "false propaganda," adding, "It is disgraceful that the Congress now feigns concern for Hindus and resorts to spreading misinformation and half-truths." He added that there was no GST on any of the ingredients used in puja. The claim was likewise rejected by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

Shrinate recalled the sequence of events and stated: "Ganga Jal is not included in the list of 10 items used in puja. To support the BJP's fabrication, India Post was compelled to take down the announcement. But the truth comes to light. The decision passed on August 8 and October 3 is canceled, and there will be no tax on Ganga Jal, according to a notification released by the GST administration. It is clear that Congress exerted pressure on this decision.

"Just think of it, the self-styled contractors of the Hindu religion cheat the devotees," she said, rubbing the point home. They take pleasure in making money off of important Hindu ceremonies. Then they tell lies. It is not just a religious issue. It has to do with the propensity to lie and cheat. The prime minister is dishonest. Amit Shah, the home minister, went so far as to say yesterday that the BJP was responsible for building the first IIT, IIM, and AIIMS. Lies are not just used as a weapon by troll armies and spokespersons.