Delhi Finance Minister Atishi on Monday said that the decision of keeping research grants exempted from the Goods and Service Tax (GST) net in the 54th GST Council meeting is a blow to “tax terrorism” and a crucial step toward national development.

She said that the Delhi government’s fierce opposition at the 54th GST Council meeting has secured a major win for research and educational institutions. Atishi took to X and shared, “The AAP has continuously opposed GST on research grants. Today, in the GST Council meeting, the Delhi and Punjab governments raised the issue that GST should not be levied on research grants received by educational institutions - whether it is a government grant or a private one. I am happy that today the GST Council has decided not to impose GST on research grants. This is a big step for the development of the country.”

Additionally, the Minister stated that in the meeting of the GST Council, the AAP governments of Delhi and Punjab strongly opposed the imposition of GST on research grants received by educational institutions. “Taxing research grants of educational institutions is akin to tax terrorism. And we are happy that the central government and the rest of the state governments agreed on this issue,” said the Delhi Minister.

The senior AAP leader added that the issue which was repeatedly raised by the AAP governments of Delhi and Punjab that GST should not be imposed on research grants. “This is a big decision for our educational institutions which contribute to the development of the country through research,” she added.