Chandigarh (Haryana) [India], September 6 (HBTV): Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Saturday welcomed the ‘historic’ decisions taken at the 56th GST Council meeting chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking at a press conference, Saini said the reforms align with the vision of ‘One Nation, One Tax, One Market,’ aimed at reducing disputes and litigation for taxpayers. ‘Under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 56th GST Council meeting made historic decisions. These steps strengthen the vision of “One Nation, One Tax, One Market,” reducing classification disputes and litigation for taxpayers. I warmly welcome the reforms introduced during the GST Council meeting, chaired by our Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman,’ he said.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the Council has exempted GST on daily food items such as roti and paratha, reducing the tax rate to zero. ‘These changes will help curb inflation and provide relief to those in need. It is for the first time, both industrialists and the common public have appreciated and embraced these reforms,’ he added.
He further noted that GST on agricultural tools, including irrigation and ploughing machinery, as well as pesticides, has been slashed from 12% to 5%. ‘This move will support our traditional food businesses and boost Haryana’s food processing sector. There is also a reduction in the tax rate on tractors, tractor parts, and solar energy equipment,’ he said.
Saini also announced significant relief in the health sector. ‘We have reduced the GST on essential life-saving medicines and life and health insurance to zero percent. The GST on life-saving medicines has been brought down from 12% to zero, while medical devices will now attract a reduced GST rate of 5%. Additionally, the GST on life and health insurance has been slashed from 18% to zero, ensuring greater affordability and access to critical healthcare services for the people,’ he stated.
(ANI)