JAMMU: The Traders Federation Ware House Nehru Market, Jammu, in a meeting chaired by its President Deepak Gupta, hailed the Union Government and the GST Council for their historic decision to rationalize GST slabs from four to just two—5% and 18%.
Deepak Gupta said this rationalization will make essential commodities such as food items, medicines, books, garments, and household necessities more affordable for the common man, while consumer durables, electronic appliances, cement, and premium goods will fall under the 18% slab.
Welcoming the exemptions, Gupta highlighted that GST-free individual health insurance will benefit a large section of people, while the removal of GST on stationery items like notebooks, maps, globes, pencils, and crayons is a step towards affordable education. Similarly, reducing GST to 5% on agriculture-related goods will help farmers, boost production, and strengthen food security.
Calling it a landmark reform, Gupta also noted that the reduction of GST on household appliances such as air conditioners, televisions, and dishwashers, along with cement, renewable energy devices, and construction materials, will boost housing and infrastructure development, taking a big step towards Housing for All.
On behalf of the trading community, Gupta expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and the GST Council for this people-friendly and business-friendly reform.
