FM urged to rollback GST on kid's activity sheets

In what could deal a severe blow to millions of parents and curious children across the country, the Goods & Services Tax (GST) Council has put one category of books - activity sheets for children between 3 to 12 years such as colouring and cursive writing book - under 12 per cent tax, while exempting all forms of books, including expensive novels and adult's magazines.

Raising the key issue, Federation of Educational Publishers in India (FEPI) General Secretary RK Gupta has urged Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to roll back the tax slab.

Terming the move as a 'major oversight', Gupta said, "It shall cause a major burden on millions of children and their parents who shall have to bear the burden of more expensive books. These books for tiny tots not only unfold the hidden talent of children but also help them shape up their creativity and evolve into good human beings."

"Under the GST, all books, including those on semi-pornography, have been exempted from taxation, but the books on educational activities have been brought under the GST ambit.

The decision to levy 12 per cent tax on educational activities books is not a progressive move as it poses financial strains on parents. It must be dropped," another office-bearer Subhash Goel said.