Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik praises Modi government for scrapping tax on sanitary pads

Patnaik said the scrapping of Goods and Services tax (GST) on sanitary napkins will positively impact public health of future generations.

He added that the move will help his government's Khushi scheme in Odisha.

Announcing the scheme, the Odisha government earlier this year said it will provide free sanitary napkins to all 17 lakh girls in government and government aided schools from class VI to XII in Odisha.

"Exemption of #GST on #SanitaryNapkins will positively impact public health of future generations & benefit #Odisha’s #Khushi scheme, announced in Feb’18 to provide free sanitary napkins to all 17 lakh girls in government & government aided schools from class VI to XII in #Odisha," Naveen Patnaik tweeted.

In a bid to appeal the middle class and businessmen and with an eye on the Lok Sabha polls next year, the Indian government on Saturday slashed Goods and Services Tax rates on several products.

The GST Council's 28th meeting was held here under the Chairmanship of Piyush Goyal , Union Minister for Railways , Coal , Finance & Corporate Affairs, where a decision was taken to lower the tax slab on products such as paints, leather goods, bamboo flooring, stoves, televisions and washing machines from the highest rate of 28 percent to 18 percent.

The government also announced an exemption of sanitary napkins, rakhi from the GST, an attempt made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government before the 2019 general elections when it will seek its second term to power.

Sanitary napkins were earlier taxed at 12%.

The new tax rates will be applicable from July 27.