Parliament Live | Modi govt's policies are anti-farmer: Congress

Derek O'Brien urges govt to slash GST on health insurance

Senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien on Monday urged the government to reduce 18 per cent GST on health insurance policies, saying the high tax rate is burdening people, especially the middle class.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour in Rajya Sabha, he also referred to a letter written to the finance minister by senior BJP leader and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari making similar demand.

"The demand is straightforward. Reduce 18 per cent GST on medical and health insurance. We should reduce it because this is an issue which is burdening people, mainly the middle class. That's why it needs to be reduced," said Derek.

The TMC leader pointed out that insurance penetration in India is low at 4 per cent compared to more than 7 per cent globally.

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