Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has welcomed the decision of the 44th GST Council meeting to reduce the GST rates on the specified items being used in Covid-19 relief and management till 30th September, 2021.
The 44th GST Council meeting was held under Chairmanship of Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman through video conferencing at New Delhi today.
Jai Ram Thakur appreciated the decision to reduce GST rate on ambulance from 28 percent to 12 percent, gas/ electric/other furnaces used for crematorium from 18 percent to 5 percent and exempt Amphotericin B (medicine used in treatment of Black fungus).
The Chief Minister also welcomed the proposal to reduce GST rate from 12 percent to 5 percent on medical grade oxygen, ventilators, oxygen concentrator/ generator, ventilators masks, canula and helmet, BiPAP machine, high flow nasal canula device, Covid testing kits, pulse oximeters and drugs used for Covid treatment recommended by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
He said that the recommendations of the Council to reduce GST rates would provide a much needed relief to citizens.
Jai Ram Thakur also thanked the Government of India for providing support to the States for tackling with the situation poised by Covid pandemic.
Industries Minister Bikram Singh virtually participated in the meeting from Shimla and represented the State.
Additional Chief Secretary J.C. Sharma and other senior officers also attended the meeting virtually.
