The North News
Shimla, September 19
Leader of Opposition and former Himachal Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Friday said that recent changes to India’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) structure under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership will provide major relief to ordinary citizens and businesses alike. Speaking at a press conference in Shimla, he highlighted that the GST Council, in its 56th meeting on September 3, scrapped two of the four existing slabs. He said that 90 percent of products earlier taxed at 28% now fall under the 18% slab, while 99% of items previously at 12% have been moved to the 5% bracket or exempted altogether. He said that 31 critical medicines used in the treatment of cancer, thalassemia and other life-threatening diseases had been removed from GST, calling the move “unprecedented in the country’s history.” He added that essential items like milk, bread and paneer remain fully exempt, while only health-harming products are taxed at 40%. He praised Modi for steering the economy from the 11th to the fourth-largest in the world, with the aim of reaching third place by 2029.
