To
Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman
Honorable Finance Minister,
New Delhi, India

Sub: Reduce GST on Bicycles

From the past few days we have been observing the daily increase in petrol/diesel prices which has impacted the public transport to shift to an alternative mode of transport for their daily lives.

Health and Environmental consciousness has increased among all sections of the society due to which people are opting for bicycle for shuttling daily to the office or study place and back to home. Even street vendors, food and grocery delivery boys, courier service agents are preferring bicycles over motorcycles due to indiscriminate hike in petrol/diesel price.

I came across a tweet recently which mentioned 12% of GST imposed on bicycles while only 0.25% GST imposed on diamond jewellery.

The diamond jewellery sector suffers from an inverted duty structure under the GST regime. As a result, the 47th GST Council meeting decided to raise the GST on diamond being cut and polished from 0.25% to 1.5%, effective from 18th July 2022.

I was shocked to see the percentage of GST imposed on bicycles, this is where I decided to start a petition and take it to the notice of policy makers and also the common citizens.

Even the bicycle manufacturers took this issue of reducing GST from 12% to 5% on bicycles/bicycle spare parts to the notice of Mrs. Nirmala Sitharaman, Hon’ble Finance Minister.

However, Union Government has not taken decision to reduce GST on bicycle/bicycle spare parts.

As per the current GST slabs electric cycles attract 5% GST whereas the ordinary bicycles used mostly by the low-income groups attract 12% GST.

This tax structures discourages the adoption of bicycles as means of commuting among the low-income groups who form the major part of the population.

At this time of surge in prices of petrol/diesel we suggest to consider use of bicycles as the sustainable means of transport for individuals for short distance travel.

Adoption of bicycles on a large scale has many benefits as zero dependence on fossil fuels, zero emissions and pollution, health benefits from increased physical activity, besides being an affordable means of mobility for low-income households.

Sign my petition and together let us request our Hon’ble Finance Minister, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman to reduce the GST on bicycles to 5% so that it becomes more affordable for different sections of people for their adoption on a large scale.

Together, we can make a difference by signing this petition to ensure that Government will take a decision to reduce the GST on bicycles/bicycle spare parts.

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