Udupi District Women’s Congress wants Sanitary Napkins to be tax-free
Udupi: The Udupi district women’s congress members submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister through the Deputy Commissioner Udupi on July 13.
In a letter, the women’s Congress stated that India is about to cross an important milestone in implementing the GST and this has brought to the forefront a long pending demand. Sanitary napkins are set to be taxed at 12 percent under the GST. Sanitary pads should be completely exempted from taxes because from a woman’s point of view, they are very important for their health.
The government has made other things like bangles, condoms tax-free while neglecting the health of women which is a very serious issue.
The women’s Congress demands to make feminine hygiene products Tax-free. There is very little awareness about the sanitary pads and in rural areas, women can’t afford them because of the high price.
By levying 12 percent tax, the government in a way is discouraging women from using sanitary napkins. This cannot be tolerated. Women need to be provided sanitary pads at affordable rates. The Centre should keep sanitary napkins out of the taxable items, they demanded.
Veronica Cornelio president, district women’s Congress; Sarala Kanchan State women Congress leader, Women Congress leaders Dr Sunitha Shetty, Jyothi Hebbar, Chandrika Shetty, Pramila Jathanna, Mary D’Souza and others were present.
