Bengalauru, Jan 20: Karnataka Government has finally exempted eight per cent luxury tax imposed on each bed in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in hospitals.
After public outcry, health and family welfare minister UT Khader had urged the finance department on Tuesday for ICU tax exemption.
"We have exempted beds in hospital ICUs from the eight per cent luxury tax. The government had issued a directive in this regard to all hospitals in the city. This directive stands cancelled," Chief Minister Siddaramaiah told reporters.
The decision comes after the medical fraternity raised a hue and cry arguing that the tax will add burden on the patients, who get admitted in the ICUs of private hospitals for critical care services and not on account of luxuries.
The Commercial Tax Commissioner had six months ago issued the order bringing ICU beds under the luxury tax net, but it was put into effect a few days ago, triggering protests.
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It is only in India and many under-developed nations that Health and Education is made costly. Health and Education in many developed countries is their Birth Right and hence they are available to them either free of cost or highly subsidized form. We pay taxes for every thing we buy and use but why can't Govt. afford to implement the scheme. In the present scenario only rich can have good health and education, others have to either do some diploma or look for job early. The Govt. College and Hospitals are pathetic to go. Can they develop such that they are in par with Private institutions? Or do politicians have stakes in private companies that they don't want to improve the services of Govt. run institutions?
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