School Sangh to move HC over GST imposition on private PSEB schools

Following reports that the state government would levy 18 per cent GST from private schools affiliated with the PSEB, the Punjab School Sangh has decided to knock the doors of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

B Bhatt, general secretary, Punjab School Sangh, said the state government through one of its communications had expressed that 18 per cent GST would be imposed on the Association Continuation Fee.

“School education till the secondary level is exempted from GST. In the circular 151/07/2021 dated June 17, 2021, it is clearly mentioned that GST at the rate of 18 per cent applied to other services provided by such boards, including provision of accreditation to an institution. There is no mentioning of affiliation,” Bhatt said.

On behalf of the association, Bhatt questioned when no other Board had imposed 18 per cent GST on affiliated schools, why the state government wanted it from private schools affiliated with the PSEB? He added the majority of students in the PSEB-affiliated private schools were from underprivileged backgrounds and that levying the GST would put additional financial burden on the schools and parents.