Tourism sector dissatisfied with FM’s measures on GST

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said the deadline for filing returns of goods and services tax (GST) for the months of March, April and May has been extended to June 30. The last date for filing belated income tax returns for FY18-19 has also been extended to the same date.

But the move to extend the GST filing deadline cannot in any way provide sufficient relief to some of the hardest hit sectors in the economy, most notably the travel and tourism segment.

The tourism sector had asked for a GST holiday for a period of 12 months, to tide over the severe crisis brought about by the rapid spread of the corona virus globally. The sector has been ravaged by the cancellation of bookings in the hospitality and airline industry.

Reacting to the news, Tourism Advisory Committee Member, Anish Kumar PK said the move cannot provide any relief to the sector. “Ban on tourist visa, international flights makes null business in tourism and the GST for this quarter is negligible for most of the tourism and hospitality institutions. Industry is expecting waivers from GST for certain period.”