Anbumani Ramadoss urges Centre to reduce GST on palm sugar to 5%

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) person Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the Union authorities to proceed levying 5% GST connected thenar sweetener and opposed a determination to enforce 18% taxation connected the merchandise by reclassifying it nether a antithetic HSN code.

In a connection issued connected Thursday (March 12, 2026), helium said thenar sweetener was earlier classified nether HSN codification 17029010 and taxed astatine 5%. However, GST authorities had present reportedly reclassified it nether HSN codification 17029090, which attracts 18% GST.

Dr. Anbumani said thenar sweetener is simply a earthy merchandise derived from thenar sap and should not beryllium treated connected a par with refined sugar. He said the higher taxation would impact small-scale producers and traders babelike connected the thenar manufacture and urged the Union authorities to reconstruct the 5% GST classification.