Debate on Inflation: Finance Minister said – no one is denying that inflation has increased, we are not running away

During the debate on inflation in the Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that no one is denying that prices have increased. We are not running. We have a band of the inflation rate, inflation is at seven percent. The government and RBI are trying to keep it below 7 percent. In the Rajya Sabha, Sitharaman said that our macroeconomic fundamentals are strong.

5% GST on packaged food items only

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister said that no tax has been imposed on any food item for the consumption of the poor. A GST charge of 5% percent has been levied on items sold only with packaged levels.

Defending the imposition of GST on packaged food items, the Finance Minister said in the House that even before this many state governments have imposed taxes on food items.

All states supported the imposition of GST on packaged food items

Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister said that during the meeting of the GST Council, all the states had given their consent to the decision to levy 5% GST on packaged food items. In Rajya Sabha, Finance Minister Sitharaman also made it clear that there is no GST on cash withdrawals from banks.

No GST on hospital beds or ICU charges

In the Rajya Sabha, the Finance Minister said, 'We have tried our best to keep the prices of things like tomatoes, potatoes, and onions under control.' “No GST has been levied on the bills for beds and ICUs in hospitals. Five percent GST is charged only on private rooms in hospitals above Rs 5000. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said that the propaganda that GST has been imposed on crematoriums is wrong. GST is to be charged only on the construction of crematoriums.