GST Council Meeting Today; Decision Likely on Kerala Government’s Demand For Imposing Cess Following Floods

The Council is also likely to take up Kerala government’s demand for imposing a cess following Kerala floods.

New Delhi: The 30th Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting is scheduled to be held on Friday, September 28. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will chair the meeting through video-conferencing. If reports are to be believed, the proposal to cut tax rates on some items could be taken up during the meet. The Council is also likely to discuss on Kerala government’s demand for imposing a cess following Kerala floods.

Speculations are rife that the GST Council may cut tax rates on cement, air conditioner and large screen televisions. Besides, a decision can also be expected Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Issac’s demand of a 10 per cent cess on State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) on all commodities consumed in the state. The minister had met Jaitley earlier this month in connection with the matter.

On August 4, during the 29th GST Council meeting, it was announced that a committee has been set up to look after the grievances of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). The council also announced that the GST incentives for digital payments via RuPay card and BHIM app will be rolled out on a pilot basis.

The 28th GST Council meeting, in July, had slashed tax rates on over 50 items, including footwear, refrigerator, washing machine and small screen TV. Apart of bringing down rates, the GST Council had also exempted GST on sanitary napkins, rakhis, fortified milk and idols of deities made of stone, marble and wood.