In a major announcement, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has pruned the items in 28 per cent slab to 50 from the current 227 items.
The most anticipated decision was taken at a crucial meeting in Guwahati. This issue was widely reported prior to the actual announcement made earlier this week as Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley had already hinted about this at a meet in New Delhi.
“There were 227 items in the 28 per cent slab. The fitment committee had recommended that it should be pruned to 62 items. But the GST Council has further pruned to more items,” said Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Sushil Modi.
Now all types of chewing gum, chocolates, preparation for women cosmetics, shaving and after-shave items, deodorants, washing powder detergent and granite and marble. All these items have been put in the 18 per cent category,” he said.
Several items such as paints, cement, washing machine and air conditioners have been retained at 28 per cent slab, he added.
