COVID-19: Chavan urges Centre to waive off GST on PPE kits

Senior Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan on Thursday urged Centre to waive off GST on personal protection equipment (PPE) kits and demanded price control through uniform pricing policy.

Speaking to reporters here, Chavan, who heads

Maharashtra Congress' task force on COVID-19, said GST on PPE kits, which is 12 to 18 per cent, should be waived off completely or be kept at a minimum five per cent.

A policy for supply of PPE and N95 masks to private doctors and hospitals should also be outlined, he said, adding that government must specify a standard operating procedure (SOP) for inclusion of private medical professionals in fight against COVID-19.

state government must also ensure availability of ambulances, beds and ICUs for patients suffering from or ailments, especially in rural Maharashtra. former Chief Minister said government must come up with a policy for expectant mors during lockdown period.

state Congress task force has also suggested waiving off electricity charges for six months for agriculture sector and also recommended crop loan and term loan waivers, he said.

Chavan said panel had submitted its first report on health and availability of food to state unit president Balasaheb Thorat.

second report of task force will focus on strategy for lifting lockdown and ecomic revival, he added.