GST Implementation at Pushkar Fair: Monitoring Horse Sales Worth Lakhs in Rajasthan

GST officials have established a presence at the famous Pushkar Fair in Rajasthan to monitor tax compliance related to horse sales.

For the first time, the 5% GST is being applied to horse transactions at this renowned animal trading fair. Officials are working collaboratively with the state veterinary department, which issues sale certificates and transfer permits for each horse sold at the event.

According to Ajmer Circle Officer HK Kaviya, "While other animals aren't subject to GST, live horse sales carry a five percent GST when transactions exceed Rs 40 lakh. Traders may voluntarily pay GST for sales below this threshold."

Camels, buffaloes, and particularly horses have become the highlight of the Pushkar Fair, with social media influencers claiming some horses were commanding prices in the crore range.

One horse named Shahbaaz from Chandigarh reportedly had an asking price of Rs 15 crore, with owner Gary Gill telling ANI he had received an offer of Rs 9 crore for the stallion. Other horses were reportedly priced at Rs 15 lakh for Badal, Rs 51 lakh for Shehzadi, and Rs 1 crore for Nagina.

However, Alok Khare, additional director of the animal husbandry department, clarified that these social media reports are inaccurate. "These prices are misleading, and no horse has been sold for even Rs 1 crore so far," he stated. Most horse sales have actually ranged between Rs 2-10 lakh.

Khare further mentioned that while over 4,500 horses are present at the fair, none has been sold for more than Rs 40 lakh.

Gajendra Singh Posana, who leads the All India Marwari Horse Society, explained that many horses are brought to the fair primarily for exhibition purposes.

"Many horse owners come to showcase their mares or stallions, particularly those used for breeding. That's why they bring their horses to the Pushkar Fair and often quote high prices, though they don't actually intend to sell at those rates. It's comparable to assigning a value to an asset you possess," he explained.