GST cut on 40 items reduced by GST council in its last meeting

Hyderabad, Sept 19: The GST Council in its last meeting held has reduced the tax rates on 40 items and a notification in this regard has been issued. The Tax rates of the proposed items are as follows...

# Food Items:

* Walnuts, whether or not shelled - 5% (earlier 12 %)
* Tamarind dried 5% (12 % earlier)
* Roasted Gram -5% (12 % earlier)
* Custard powder -18 % (earlier 28 %)
* Batters idli / dosa -12 % (earlier 18 %)

Pooja items:

* Dhoop batti, Dhoop, sambhrani and other similar items - Nil (earlier 5 %)
* Plastic raincoats - 18 % (earlier 28 %), Rubber bands - 12 % (earlier 28 %)
* Idols made of clay - Nil (earlier 28 % )



Nozzles for drip irrigation equipment or sprinklers -12 % (earlier 18 %)
Computer monitors upto 20"-18 % (earlier 28 %)

Kitchen items:
# Brooms and brushes - Nil (earlier 5 %)
# Kitchen gas lighters - 18 % (earlier 28 %)
# Table and Kitchenware of wood - 12% (earlier 12 %)

Sources say that the council will review 90 more items in the next meeting to be held in October. Meanwhile, there is a worry that the tax collections are sluggish and the tax claims are huge and it may force the government to cut the spending on infrastructure.