GST rates cut for aam aadmi: Peak rate basked snipped; returns made easier

Rates on several items reduced; more sweeteners likely for MSMEs in Aug 4 meet

The Goods and Services Tax Council has pruned the list of items under the peak 28 per cent rate. 

It said on Saturday that it was cutting the rates for consumer goods such as refrigerators, small TV sets, washing machines and vacuum cleaners – the estimated cost to the exchequer is at Rs 60 billion a year. 

The Council also announced cuts in rates on a number of other items, including sanitary napkins from 12 per cent to nil and on e-books to 12 per cent from 18 per cent. All these cuts will be effective from the coming Friday,