GST Council hikes tax on caffeinated beverages, cuts rates on hotel tariffs

Panaji: The all-powerful GST Council on Friday more than doubled the tax on caffeinated beverages but slashed the same on hotel tariffs and some goods with a view to addressing sectoral concerns in a slowing economy.

The GST Council, headed by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and having representatives of all states, however, did not take a decision on cutting tax on automobiles as well as items like biscuits which had seen fall in sales on slowing consumption and demand.

Sitharaman said caffeinated beverages will be charged with 28 per cent tax plus a 12 per cent compensation cess in place of the current tax rate of 18 per cent. This will bring them at par with the tax rate charged on aerated drinks.

Also, aerated drink manufacturers have been excluded from the composition scheme and restrictions placed on refund of compensation cess on tobacco products.

To boost job-creating hospitality industry and tourism, the GST (goods and services tax) on hotel rooms with tariffs of up to Rs 1,000 per night will be nil. The same for tariff of between Rs 1,001 and Rs 7,500 per night has been cut to 12 per cent from the existing 18 per cent.

Similarly, the tax on room tariff of above Rs 7,500 has been slashed to 18 per cent from the existing 28 per cent.

Passenger vehicles of engine capacity 1,500 cc in case of diesel, 1,200 cc in case of petrol and length not exceeding 4,000 mm designed for carrying up to 9 persons attract compensation cess of 1 per cent for petrol and 3 per cent for diesel vehicle over and above the 28 per cent tax rate. Council recommended same compensation cess rate for vehicles having these specifications (length and engine capacity) but designed for carrying more than 10 persons but up to 13 persons, she said adding presently these vehicles attract compensation cess at the rate of 15 per cent.

In all, the GST Council revised rates on 20 goods and 12 services. Sources said the changes will have "very minor" revenue implication as an increase in tax would make up for reductions.

The Council cut the GST rate on slide fasteners (zips) to 12 per cent from 18 per cent on marine fuel to 5 per cent from 18 per cent on wet grinders to 5 per cent from 12 per cent and to nil on dried tamarind and plates and cups made up of leaves/flowers/bark from current 5 per cent.

Also, the GST was cut to 0.25 per cent on cut and polished semi-precious stones from present 3 per cent.

A 5 per cent GST would be applicable on specified goods used for oil and gas exploration and production under the licensing policy.

She said import of specified defence goods not being manufactured indigenously, the supply of goods and services to FIFA for organising under-17 Women's Football World Cup in India, and supply of goods and services to Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) for specified projects in India has been exempt from GST.

A uniform GST rate of 12 per cent on polypropylene/polyethylene woven and non-woven bags and sacks used for the packing of goods will be levied in place of present rates of 5 per cent/12 per cent/18 per cent, respectively.

The Council exempted fishmeal as well as pulley, wheels and other parts for agricultural machinery from GST for specified periods.

The minister said the rate changes shall be made effective from October 1.