<h1>TRS Urges GST Waiver for Welfare Schemes to Avoid Tax Hike Impacting Telangana's Pro-Poor Projects.</h1> TRS members in the Lok Sabha have urged that the Goods and Services Tax (GST) should not be applied to existing government welfare schemes, as it raises the tax burden from 5% to 18%, significantly impacting these initiatives. The Finance Minister promised to address their concerns with the GST council. The TRS representative highlighted that ongoing pro-poor projects in Telangana, including housing initiatives worth Rs. 1 lakh crore, are at risk of halting. The state's chief minister has communicated these concerns to the Prime Minister, seeking a GST waiver for these schemes, which are intended for the poor and public benefit.