Will get fitment panel to look into 28% GST for cement: FM Sitharaman

Urges industry to ensure its output is compliant with sustainable development goals, says this is crucial for negotiating non-tariff barriers arising out of environmental concerns around the world

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday indicated that the government could be open to considering a reduction in the goods and services tax (GST) on cement, a long-standing demand of the infrastructure sector, if the GST Council agrees.

At a session with members of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, the finance minister, responding to a recommendation, said she would have a fitment committee look into the existing 28 per cent GST rate on cement – a critical input in construction of everything from houses to bridges.

Feedback Ventures head and infra expert Vinayak Chatterjee, who had