Garments worth more than Rs 2,500, will now attract a higher Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18%, up from the earlier 12%. Industry bodies have cautioned that the move will weigh on middle-class affordability and could weaken both organised retail and the garment sector.The GST Council, at its meeting on Wednesday, approved the rate…
Jewellers on Thursday welcomed the government’s move to reduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates in several sectors, saying the decision would indirectly benefit the gems and jewellery industry by boosting demand, even though the sector’s tax rate remains unchanged at 3%.“The current GST reforms (GST 2.0) offer no direct and immediate relief to gems…
India’s sweeping Goods and Services Tax (GST) rationalisation, approved on Wednesday, is being hailed by business leaders as a major step to spur consumption, lift growth, and soften the impact of “lopsided” tariff regimes from the United States.The GST Council decided to compress the current rate structure into two slabs of 5% and 18%. The…
Donald Trump administration’s 50% tariffs on India have rendered the country’s exports uncompetitive in the US markets. (AI image) India, the world’s fastest growing major economy, is preparing to bear the brunt of US President Donald Trump’s trade war and 50% tariffs. In this backdrop, the Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate cuts couldn’t have…
Wall Street traded in green on Thursday as pressure from the bond market eased and investors closely watched signs of weakness in the US labour market. The S&P 500 gained 0.17% or 10 points to reach 6,459. Dow Jones Industrial Average began the day in red but jumped 54 points or 0.12%, trading at 45,325…
Agriculture and dairy industry leaders on Thursday welcomed the government’s decision to slash GST rates on crucial farm inputs and dairy products, describing it as a lifeline for farmers coping with surging costs and uncertain weather.The GST Council’s move covers fertilisers, biopesticides, farm machinery and dairy products. Experts say the step will lower cultivation expenses,…
If you’re planning to buy silver jewellery but unsure about its purity, there’s good news. The government has introduced voluntary hallmarking for silver jewellery and articles, backed by a digital identification system to assure quality and protect consumers, effective from September 1.The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) updated its hallmarking standard with the release of…
The government’s announcement of Goods and Services Tax (GST) rationalisation under GST 2.0 signals a major change in India’s economic approach, moving from capex-led spending to a consumption-driven model, according to a report by Axis Securities.“The government has now shifted gears from capex-oriented spending to consumption-led spending,” the brokerage said, adding that the February 2025…
The GST Council’s decision to slash tax rates on everyday essentials and personal-use products ahead of the festive season is expected to revive domestic consumption, lift rural demand, and strengthen growth in the FMCG sector, industry leaders said on Thursday.According to news agency PTI, FMCG companies plan to pass on the benefits to consumers either…
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on Wednesday announced the most extensive revamp of the indirect tax system since its rollout in 2017.The reform introduces a simplified two-slab structure of 5% and 18%, alongside a new 40% slab for luxury and sin goods.The new rates, except for…
