Sops in GST slabsThere can be no second opinion that the 18% GST charged on the premium payable by individuals for their medical and life insurance policies affected many, especially senior citizens and pensioners. Many of them stopped renewing the policies as they were unable to afford payment of the basic premium with the levy of a steep 18% GST. Their genuine requests to reduce the rate of GST fell on deaf ears. Many of them suffered as they were left with no valid medical insurance to cover exorbitant hospitalisation charges when they fell sick. It should not be forgotten that even life-saving medical grade oxygen, diagnostic kits, glucometers and corrective spectacles were charged at 12% and an alarming 18% for thermometers. After making the hapless public shell out the maximum GST, the government has now rushed to revise the GST slabs. One wonders whether this change of mind is on account of the Assembly elections in crucial States.Insurance companies too should not use the GST waiver to hike the basic premium, unethically.Shalini Gerald,ChennaiPublished - September 06, 2025 12:24 am IST