Jaisalmer, 21 December
The GST Council has recently postponed the decision to reduce the tax rate on life and health insurance premiums. The GST Council headed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and with the participation of state finance ministers decided during its 55th meeting that some more technical aspects need to be cleared by the concerned group of ministers. Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chowdhury said that another meeting of the Group of Ministers on Life and Health Insurance is required, in which the policy on taxing groups, individuals and senior citizens has to be decided. Chowdhury said, “Some members said that more discussion is needed. We (group of ministers) will meet again in January.” The group of ministers headed by Chaudhary had agreed to exempt life insurance policy premiums from GST during its meeting in November. It was also proposed to exempt the premium paid by senior citizens for health insurance cover from tax. Apart from this, it is also proposed to exempt from GST premiums paid by persons other than senior citizens for health insurance up to Rs 5 lakh. However, 18 percent GST on premiums paid for policies with health insurance cover above Rs 5 lakh will continue. -News-Patiala