Kidambi Srikanth and other shuttlers thanks Narendra Modi, Arun Jaitley for GST exemption

What’s the story?

Star Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley for bringing giving special exemptions to sports goods in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Bill.

In case you didn’t know…

The Government of India introduced the GST bill, earlier this year, in an attempt to bring all the taxes in the country under one banner. The passing of the GST bill had a largescale effect on the economy, increasing the price of certain goods, while decreasing the price of the others.

Heart of the matter

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, which is now headed by Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, had requester Prime Minister Modi and Finance Minister Jaitley to give certain sports goods exemptions from GST. With the Sports Ministry’s proposal being accepted, Rathore thanked both Modi and Jaitley in a tweet.

Very thankful to PM @narendramodi ji, FM @arunjaitley ji & #GSTCouncil for accepting @IndiaSports recommendations to exempt specific sports goods from IGST, applicable from 15 Nov. This is a major institutional support for sports. #GSTCouncilMeet pic.twitter.com/C3whcc0uku

— Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) November 11, 2017

On seeing this message of thanks, BWF men’s singles world no 2 shuttler Kidambi Srikanth also took the cue to thank the Prime Minister and the Finance Minister for exempting sports goods from taxes, which effectively makes it easier for athletes to obtain equipment that could help them perform better on the sporting arena.

Thank you sir for continuously supporting sportspeople. @narendramodi sir @arunjaitley sir https://t.co/kRrmUivmIf

— Kidambi Srikanth (@srikidambi) November 11, 2017

Other badminton stars like N Sikki Reddy and Pranaav Jerry Chopra also joined in, to thank the ministers for this initiative.

That's a very good initiative. Thank you so much sir ?

— sikkireddy (@sikkireddy) November 11, 2017

What a great initiative sir, taking Indian sports to the next level. Thank you! ??

— Pranaav Jerry Chopra (@pranaav6) November 11, 2017

What’s next?

Indian sports is currently at a crucial stage. While the country has remained cricket crazy for a long time, a number of other sports, like badminton and kabaddi are showing a rise in stature. With sports goods being exempted from GST, the athletes from the country could benefit, and go on to bring home the laurels from around the world.

Author’s take

This is truly a landmark move for Indian athletes, who are set to benefit from the GST exemption on the sports goods. Such exemptions will eventually help Indian athletes perform better.