Govt launches scheme to reimburse taxes on food offered by religious, charitable bodies

The Ministry of Culture today launched a scheme to reimburse central share of CGST and IGST on food, prasad, langar or bhandara offered by religious and charitable institutions, a ministry statement said.

The ?Seva Bhoj Yojna has a total outlay of Rs 325.00 crore for financial years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

The scheme will compensate such institutions of the Central Government share of Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) and Integrated Goods and Service Tax (IGST) so as to lessen the financial burden on religious and charitable bodies that provide food/prasad/langar (community kitchen)/bhandara free-of-cost without any discrimination to public/devotees.

Religious or charitable institutions such as temples, gurudwaras, mosques, churches, dharmik ashram, dargah, matth, monasteries, that have been in existence for at least three years before applying for financial assistance under the scheme, will be eligible for getting benefits under the scheme, provided they meet other criteria.

"Ministry of Culture will enrol the eligible religious and charitable institutions for a time period ending with financial year 2019-20 and subsequently the enrolment may be renewed by the Ministry, subject to the performance evaluation of the institutions. The details of registered institutions will be available on an online portal for the viewership of public, GST authorities and entity / institution itself," the statement said.

Such institutions shall have to first register with Darpan Portal of NITI Aayog and get Unique ID generated by it.