GST Council Exempts Gene Therapy, Cuts Tax Rate For Rice Kernels

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the issue of whether there should be a separate GST on delivery charges of food provided by quick commerce companies and e-commerce apps was discussed at the meeting but no decision has been taken.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced that the Goods and Services Tax Council has approved the reduction of GST on rice kernels to 5 per cent, exempted life-saving gene therapy from tax, and extended the GST exemption for parts used in manufacturing surface-to-air missiles (SAM).

Addressing the media here after the 55th GST Council meeting, the Finance Minister said the decision to cut GST on rice kernels from 18 per cent to 5 per cent has been taken as the commodity is supplied to the weaker sections of society through the public distribution system.

"Similarly, the concessional 5 per cent GST is applicable on inputs of food preparations that are supplied for free distribution to economically weaker sections under government programs subject to existing conditions; so this is also an extension of the 5 per cent rate that prevails," she said.