Mysuru: Sports camps at the University of Mysore have gotten pricier. As per the direction of the Central government and audit department, the University of Mysore will be collecting 18 percent GST on the regular fees charged for any sports coaching camps including swimming, that is conducted by the Department of Physical Education. This move has placed a burden on budding sportspersons and their parents.
For a normal 21-day swimming camp at the University swimming pool, the charges will now be Rs 3,835 (including 18 percent GST). Last year, the fee for this camp was Rs 3,200. If this continues, the financially challenged sports enthusiasts will need to think twice before attending such camps conducted by the Department of Physical Education.
The 18 percent GST is applicable for all sports camps and also includes rent on the grounds given by the Department of Physical Education.
When this was brought to the notice of Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore, Hemanth Kumar said, “The audit department instructed us to collect 18 percent GST on any service we provide. We have no other option so we started applying the 18 percent GST rate on all services including sports camps and other facilities including grounds and auditorium rent. We were informed by the audit officials that if we don’t collect GST for the services provided, the same would be deducted from our salary.” He, however, assured that he would write a letter to the Central government regarding the issue and ask for a GST relaxation on some of the services including sports coaching camps.
M P Nabiraj, former University of Mysore swimming coach who produced many state and national level swimmers said, “If the government exempts sports camps from taxes it will really help in the growth of sports, otherwise it will put additional burden on the parents and they may think twice before sending their wards to any camps. It is in the best interest of sports and health that the government stop putting GST on sports camps.”
