No GST on sanitary pads, rakhis; rates slashed on shoes, several appliances

New tax rates will be effective from July 27

Conceding a year long demand, sanitary pads today exempted from GST as the GST Council reduced tax rates on an array of daily use appliances and products.

While GST tax on sanitary pads was cut from 12 per cent to zero, rakhis were exempted from the tax, Finance Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters here.

"Sanitary napkins exempted from GST," Goyal said.

Among items on which GST was reduced include footwear, small televisions, water heater, electric ironing machines, refrigerators, lithium ion batteries, hair dryers, vacuum cleaners, food appliances and ethanol.

"GST Council cuts tax rate on an array of products. Rakhis