No GST on Prasadam, But Affecting Temples
The Government of India’s move to have one tax system for the country seems to have taken its toll on pilgrims. Though the government has given exemption on GST for prasadams, the temples which are earning over Rs 20 lakh per years will come under GST. This means huge number of temples that are popular shrines for our pilgrims will now have to take the GST wrath.
Meanwhile Andhra Pradesh Government has got exemption for prasadam and human hair at Tirumala. Similarly, prasadam at Dharmastala in Karnataka is exempted from GST. It is not clear whether they will be getting exemption of tax for purchase of raw material to prepare the prasadam. As of now, they have not yet got any orders in this regard.
The GST confusion is all the more among the pilgrims. They have to shell out huge amount for they hotel rooms and other necessities during the pilgrimage. This will show its effect on temples as well. According to sources at Tirumala as well as at Dharmastala, the impact of pilgrims over the temples is not yet felt since GST is not very clear to everybody. “Once there is clarity we can assess the impact.”
According to a news report, it is estimated that Tirumala Lord Venkateswara temple, richest Hindu temple, will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 70 crore due to GST.
– Religion World Bureau
