Under fire for the proposal to tax ‘high-end’ medical services, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today told Lok Sabha he is examining various suggestions and would respond later. “Since the presentation of the Budget 2011-12, I have received several suggestions and representations, including valuable feedback from Members (MPs) on taxation proposals.
These are under examination,” Mukherjee said while replying to the discussion on the Budget for 2011-12.
The Minister further said that he would respond to the issues in his reply to the discussion on the Finance Bill 2011, later during this session.
Mukherjee is expected to reply during the discussion on Finance Bill in Lok Sabha on March 22.
His proposal to impose 5 per cent service tax on services provided by centrally air-conditioned hospitals of 25 bed or more, evoked sharp reaction from the medical community with doctors describing the levy as “misery tax”