Ace shooter Gagan Narang, NRAI hail Centre's decision to exempt sports equipment from GST

New Delhi: The Indian shooting fraternity, including ace shooter Gagan Narang, on Sunday welcomed the government’s decision to exempt imported sports equipment from the ambit of GST. The National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) went on to call the move “fair” and progressive". Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore on Saturday said the government’s decision to exempt imported sports goods of specific nature from the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) ambit will be a big boost for the country’s sportspersons of “outstanding eminence”. [caption id=“attachment_4206103” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Olympic bronze medal-winning Indian shooter Gagan Narang joined the chorus in praising the Centre’s decision. Reuters[/caption] NRAI president Raninder Singh thanked all those who backed the move, including Rathore, the Finance Ministry and NRAI vice-president Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, who ran a prolonged campaign to remove GST on sporting equipment. Thanks to the move, the shooters are now exempted from the payment of GST on their imports. The NRAI chief expressed his “sincere thanks to the Honourable Minister of Sports Col. RVS Rathore and Sh. Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo (MP) Senior Vice President of the NRAI, for having ensured that this goal was achieved”. The NRAI said it was a positive development that shall help and further nurture the sport in India. “Finally, NRAI also takes this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Finance & the GST Council of India in arriving at this fair, just, & progressive decision,” the shooting federation said in a statement. Olympic bronze medallist Gagan Narang tweeted, “The move to cut down GST on import of equipment will immensely help sports people like us in procuring our guns and ammunition. Thank you @narendramodi @arunjaitley @Ra_THORe @Media_SAI.”