- PIL Filed by Student Activist: Anvi Kumar, a 17-year-old student from The Shriram School Aravali in Gurgaon, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) with the Supreme Court of India to challenge the lack of transparency in the government’s GST categorization of mental health services.
- RTI Application and Limited Response: The legal action follows an RTI application submitted on September 13, 2023, seeking clarification from NIMHANS regarding the 18% GST rate on mental health services. The response received was limited and did not adequately address key questions about the government’s decision-making process.
- Concerns Over GST Rate: Anvi raised critical questions about whether the government engaged with stakeholders or conducted research before imposing the GST, as well as concerns regarding the impact of this tax on the affordability and accessibility of mental health care.
- Ambiguity in Responses: NIMHANS indicated that “GST is generally not applicable to Mental Health Services,” creating confusion as this statement contradicted other responses. This inconsistency highlights the need for clearer policies and better stakeholder engagement regarding mental health service taxation.
- Awareness Campaign: In addition to the PIL, Anvi has initiated a Change.org campaign to promote awareness and gather support for transparent policies that prioritize the affordability and accessibility of mental health care, emphasizing the importance of clear classification within the GST framework.
Source a2ztaxcorp
