GST On Holy Water Of Ganga? Here Is The Response of CBIC To GST On Gangajal

Clarification on GST for Gangajal: In recent days, there have been reports suggesting that 18% GST will be applied to water from the holy Ganga. However, the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has cleared up the confusion. 

They explained that Gangajal, the water from the sacred Ganga river, is considered a 'Puja Samagri' or a prayer item, and as such, it is not subject to GST. The Goods and Services Tax has never been applicable to prayer items since its introduction on July 1, 2017.

The CBIC posted on X (Formerly Known as Twitter) "Gangajal is commonly used in household rituals and is considered a part of Puja Samagri, which is exempt from GST. The GST Council extensively discussed the taxation of Puja Samagri in its 14th and 15th meetings held on May 18/19, 2017, and June 3, 2017, respectively. It was decided to keep these items on the exempt list. As a result, all such items have been exempt from GST since the GST's introduction. 

The clarification revenue department of the Finance Ministry was issued in response to numerous media reports suggesting that Gangajal would be subjected to an 18% GST. These reports led to a verbal exchange between the BJP and the Congress, with the latter making critical remarks about the ruling party.

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