Even at a time when India is facing an acute shortage of medical oxygen with many COVID-19 patients dying, the Government continues to levy GST (Goods and Service Tax) on oxygen concentrators. 

Although the Government has slashed GST on imported oxygen concentrators, the collection of tax by the Government on the lifesaving equipment has not gone down well among the netizens. 

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The Union Finance Ministry late on Saturday night had slashed GST rate on imported oxygen concentrators to 12% from 28%. 

On Friday last, the government had notified changes to the foreign trade policy to allow the import of oxygen concentrators for personal use through e-commerce portals, post or courier till July 31, 2021. 

Also read: Assam, Manipur and Meghalaya showing increasing trends in COVID-19 cases: Health Ministry

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Moreover, Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala has urged the Centre to consider exempting Goods and Service Tax on oxygen concentrators as India battles a ferocious second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. 

Haryana Deputy CM Dushyant Chautala has written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying that such an exemption would make these machines more affordable for the public.  

“As we know that most of the oxygen concentrators are not produced domestically and large quantities of such concentrators are being imported presently in view of the current pandemic crisis, I request you to consider exempting GST on oxygen concentrators for the time being thereby making oxygen concentrators more affordable for the public,” read Chautala’s letter. 

On the other hand, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has also written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the matter. 

Sisodia said: “It would be appropriate if the Government of India and the GST Council consider exempting GST on oxygen concentrators for a period of six months to make them more affordable for our citizens.” 

Also read: AJP, Raijor Dal helped BJP consolidate position in Upper Assam: Congress

Meanwhile, netizens have slammed the Central Government for continuing to levy GST on lifesaving oxygen concentrators.