GST tax: NCP women's wing launch signature campaign to make Sanitary napkins tax free

Sanitary napkins will be taxed at 12 per cent under the new Goods and Services Tax (GST), which is slated for a July 1 rollout. The move of the Centre is being criticised nationwide and now the women's wing of NCP has launched a signature campaign to press for its demand of making sanitary pads tax-free.

"Sanitary pads should be completely exempted from taxes because from a woman's point of view, they are veryimportant for their health.
"The government making other things tax-free while neglecting the health of women is a very serious issue," NCP women's wing president Chitra Wagh told reporters.

Wagh said her party has launched a signature campaign to seek tax-free status for the feminine hygiene product.

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There is low level of awareness about sanitary pads and in rural areas women can't afford them given their highprice, the NCP leader said.
"By levellng a 12 per cent tax, the government is in a way barring women from using sanitary napkins. This cannot betolerated."

"Women need to be provided sanitary pads at affordable rates. The Centre should keep sanitary napkins out of the taxnet," she said.
The issue has also created uproar in social media with people critisising Modi govt for the 'anti-women' move.

"Taxing sanitary napkins is like taking women for being women," said a woman facebook user.

Another woman tweeted, "12% GST tax on sanitary napkins. Shame, Shame, Shame.  Government is careless about women's health."

12% GST tax on sanitary napkins. Shame, Shame, Shame. Government is careless about women's health.

— pinki sharma (@pinkisharma4) May 29, 2017