Hours ahead of the 23rd meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council meeting in Guwahati, the Congress has hit out at the Narendra Modi government. Former finance minister and senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has tweeted that they will “force the government to make changes in GST.” He said that government is expected to announce major changes in GST today.
Meanwhile, reports also indicate that major tax cuts can be expected today.
“Expect a shower of changes in GST rates from GST Council meeting today. Panic-stricken government has no option but to concede demands for change. Thanks to Gujarat elections, Government forced to heed advice of Opposition and experts on flaws in implementation of GST,” P Chidambaram tweeted on Friday.
He added that former finance ministers from the Congress will force the government to implement suggested changes in GST Council meet today. “Govt avoided debate and voting in Rajya Sabha on GST Bills. Now, they cannot avoid a debate in public domain or in the GST Council. Congress FMs will force changes in GST Council meeting today. Agra, Surat, Tiruppur and other hub towns are watching,” Chidambaram tweeted.
Congress FMs will force changes in GST Council meeting today. Agra, Surat, Tiruppur and other hub towns are watching.
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) November 10, 2017
Reports say that the GST Council may reduce the number of items in the 28 per cent slab. Speculation is rife that almost 200 items are set to get cheaper with the government all set to announce tax cuts in GST today.
List of items expected to get cheaper at GST Council Meet
- Kitchen appliances and furniture may be moved from 28 per cent to 18 per cent slab
- Tailoring Job work may be moved from 18 per cent to 5 per cent
- Furnishing items , sanitary wear, electrical switch tax may be reduce to 18 per cent from 28 per cent
- Refrigerator, Washing machines, and other consumer durable items may also be moved from 28 per cent to 18 per cent
- Tax on Shoes above Rs 1,000 and leather bags may also be brought down
Reports say that the GST Council may reduce the number of items in the 28 per cent slab. Speculation is rife that almost 200 items are set to get cheaper with the government all set to announce tax cuts in GST today.
List of items expected to get cheaper at GST Council Meet
- Kitchen appliances and furniture may be moved from 28 per cent to 18 per cent slab
- Tailoring Job work may be moved from 18 per cent to 5 per cent
- Furnishing items , sanitary wear, electrical switch tax may be reduce to 18 per cent from 28 per cent
- Refrigerator, Washing machines, and other consumer durable items may also be moved from 28 per cent to 18 per cent
- Tax on Shoes above Rs 1,000 and leather bags may also be brought down
The panel headed by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley may also take decisions on rates, making compliance easier and giving more relief to small and medium businesses.
