New Delhi, July 3 (KNN) With budget 2019 to be presented in less than 48 hours from now, expectations of the industries from diversified sectors have started to surface. The manufacturers of sanitaryware have pinned hope that the Union Budget, would pave the way for the GST Council to take the measure.

Walking towards the path of Prime Minister’s Modi vision to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put focus on sanitation, the sanitaryware industry has urged the Centre to rationalize Goods and Services Tax (GST) to 5 per cent from the existing 18 per cent to pare down the cost and encourage personal hygiene.

As a part of the Swachh Bharat mission, it is important to make sanitaryware products available at an affordable rate to people, said Ram Babu Kabra, the director of Indian Council of Sanitaryware Manufactures.

Voicing similar sentiment, Roca Bathrooms Products managing Director KE Ranganathan said toilet penetration in India hasn’t exceeded 60 per cent, while it has crossed 90 per cent in some of the neighbouring countries.

Sharing his expectations from the upcoming Budget, Ranganathan said, “The basic hygiene products and other bathroom fittings like taps are taxed at 18 per cent. Many representations have gone to the government to lower them to 5 per cent to help improve the sanitation level.”