Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) leader Anbumani Ramadoss has urged the Union government to continue levying 5% GST on palm sugar and opposed a move to impose 18% tax on the product by reclassifying it under a different HSN code.
In a statement issued on Thursday (March 12, 2026), he said palm sugar was earlier classified under HSN code 17029010 and taxed at 5%. However, GST authorities had now reportedly reclassified it under HSN code 17029090, which attracts 18% GST.
Anbumani said palm sugar is a natural product derived from palm sap and should not be treated on a par with refined sugar. He said the higher tax would affect small-scale producers and traders dependent on the palm industry and urged the Union government to restore the 5% GST classification.
