New Delhi, Aug. 24 -- Goods and services tax (GST) on premiums paid for health and life insurance became a hot-button political issue in 2024, after a written reply in the Rajya Sabha revealed that the Centre had collected over Rs.24,000 crore- Rs.21,000 crore as GST on fresh policies and another Rs.3,274 crore on policy renewals-in the previous three fiscal years.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi immediately attacked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre for "looking for a tax opportunity before every disaster". Later, the Congress-led INDIA grouping of opposition parties demonstrated on the steps of Parliament, demanding the removal of the prevailing 18% GST on such insurance premi...