On Friday, All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader and MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay criticized the Union government’s decision to impose an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on medical and health insurance, labeling it as “anti-people” and detrimental to citizens across the country.
In a conversation with reporters, Bandyopadhyay highlighted that the issue of GST on health insurance has been a significant concern for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He stated, “We have raised the issue today, calling for an immediate withdrawal of GST on life insurance premiums and medicines. Our Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee voiced her concerns yesterday. We believe this GST is anti-people and is negatively impacting the citizens of our country.”
Bandyopadhyay urged the government to reverse this decision, emphasizing that Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman should address the matter in Parliament without delay. “If necessary, we will take to the streets under the leadership of Mamata Banerjee to mount a larger movement,” he added.
In solidarity, TMC Lok Sabha MPs also staged a protest demanding the removal of GST on medical and health insurance.
The day prior, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called on the central government to retract the GST from life insurance and medical insurance premiums. Taking to X, she stated, “Our demand to the Government of India is to roll back GST on life insurance and medical insurance premiums due to its adverse impact on people’s health needs. This GST is harmful as it impedes people’s ability to manage their essential health requirements. If the Government of India does not withdraw this anti-people GST, we will be compelled to take to the streets.”
Earlier, on July 31, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh criticized the BJP for allegedly withholding funds for the 100-day wage employment scheme, attributing the issue to the BJP’s defeat in the 2021 Assembly elections. Ghosh noted that TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee had requested a white paper from Finance Minister Sitharaman detailing budget allocations to West Bengal, but this request remains unaddressed.
“The central government has failed to provide funds for the 100-day wage employment scheme, forcing the Chief Minister to use Rs 59 lakh from state funds. They justify this by citing irregularities, while BJP-ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh continue to receive funds. We will persist in our protests both inside and outside Parliament until the funds for the 100-day wage employment scheme and the housing scheme are released,” Ghosh asserted.
Ghosh further insisted that Sitharaman must produce the white paper requested by Banerjee, highlighting that the BJP has collected Rs 4.64 lakh crore in taxes from West Bengal over the past four financial years, with pending dues exceeding Rs 1.71 lakh crore. “We need clarity on funding for MGNREGA and the housing scheme. Our protests will escalate under the leadership of CM Mamata Banerjee and MP Abhishek Banerjee,” he concluded.
