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Chandigarh, Feb 10
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has claimed that the goods and service tax (GST) has caused heavy burden on the Golden Temple as it had to pay Rs 2 crore as GST, while purchasing ration for langar (free community kitchen) and parshad, ever since the new tax regime came into force.
Revealing details, SGPC spokesperson Diljit Singh Bedi said, “From July 1, 2017 to January 31, 2018, they have paid Rs 2 crore as GST on purchase of different items required in the langar at the Golden Temple.” The Golden Temple langar is considered as largest community kitchen in the world.
“The SGPC has been fighting for getting exemption from the GST on langar items through letters and deputations. However, its efforts have failed to bear fruit so far, ” said the SGPC officials.
However, Union finance minister, Arun Jaitley, has dismissed the claims, saying, “No GST has been imposed on the food served in langar and dismissed the charges that government has imposed GST on langar in gurdwaras”.
SGPC president Gobind Singh Longowal took a strong note of this statement terming it as misleading. “The statement is far from the truth and facts. So, this is totally wrong. The GST is being charged on the purchase of langar items,” said Longowal.
