Cement firms disappointed over no shift in GST slab

India’s 460-million tonne cement sector is disappointed at being kept in the 28 per cent goods and services tax (GST) bracket even after the latest rejig in rates. The hope was for being repositioned in the 18 per cent bracket, along with other building material segments.

These high hopes were mainly on the back of the central government’s big push on infrastructure development and affordable housing. They believed as cement is an indispensable building material, the relief sought would come.

However, cement continues in the highest tax bracket, “along with luxury items such as washing machines and air conditioners”, says