New Delhi, September 19: With Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman all set to chair the 37th Goods and Services Tax Council meeting on Friday, stakes are high that announcement of relief in the rates of various products under its umbrella are bound to be made. As the economic crisis has gripped almost the sectors, experts have advised the Finance Ministry for a major rejig in the GST rates. Though not much could be expected as of now, there are chances that Sitharaman might come up with schemes that would boost up the slow market trends in the country. GST Council Meeting Tomorrow: Here's What To Expect.

Be it auto sector, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) or telecom sector, proposals are being sent by experts to decrease the GST rates so that they can sustain in the market. On one side automobile industry is asking the government to slash 28 percent GST to 18 percent, the telecom sector is seeking a cut of six percent from the existing 12 percent.

Considering the quashing of Foreign Portfolio Investment by the Union Minister and bank mergers, relief in the hotel industry and outdoor catering service is quite expected. Biscuit Manufacturers Welfare Association (BMWA) letter to the ministry might make a difference. Biscuit Manufacturers Write to FM Nirmala Sitharaman Seeking Reduction in GST on Packs Below Rs 100 per Kg.

Let's look at the current GST rates on various products:

Sl No. List of Goods/Services  Current GST rate (in %)
1. Electric Chargers 5
2. Electric Vehicles 5
3. Vegetables provisionally preserved but unsuitable for immediate consumption Nil to 12
4. Vegetables cooked/uncooked via steamed, frozen or boiled (branded) Nil to 12
5. Parts for manufacturing renewable energy devices falling under chapter 84, 85 or 94 of Tariff 5
6. Music Books Nil to 12
7. Natural cork 5-12
8. Fly ash blocks 5-12
9. Walking sticks 5-18
10. Marble rubble 12-18
11. Agglomerated cork 12-18
12. Cork roughly squared or debugged 12-18
13. Articles of natural cork 12-18
14. Movie tickets < or Rs 100 premium on third party insurance on vehicles 12-18
15. Accessories for handicapped mobility vehicles 5-28
16. Power banks 18-28
17. Movie tickets > Rs 100 18-28
18. Video game consoles, equipment used for Billiards and Snooker and other sport related items of HSN code 9504 18-28
19. Retreated & used pneumatic rubber tyres 18-28
20. Colour television sets & monitors up to “32 Inches” 18-28
21. Digital & video camera recorders 18-28
22. Pulleys, transmission shafts, cranks and gear boxes under HSN 8483 18-28
23. Tax rate on Air travel of pilgrims reduced* 18-28

The government had earlier gave a rebate on some items, and now no GST is being charged on these. They include Rakhi, sanitary napkins, circulation and commemorative coins, the raw material for broom, stone/marble/wood deities, sal leaves and its products, khali dona, fortified milk and coir pith compost.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2019 07:28 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).