GST Council cuts rates on 23 items, rationalises 28 percent slab; TVs, movie tickets and power banks get cheaper

New Delhi: In a relief to the common man, the GST Council Saturday cut rates on 23 commonly used goods and services, including TV screens, movie tickets and power banks. The annual revenue implication of the rate cuts would be Rs 5,500 crore, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said. The council rationalised the 28 percent slab by bringing down the tax rate on seven items in the highest tax bracket, thereby leaving only 28 items in the slab. Briefing reporters after the 31st GST Council meeting, Jaitley said rate rationalisation is an ongoing process. “28 percent bracket is gradually moving to sunset… The next target will be rate rationalisation in cement as and when affordability improves,” he said. Now, the 28 percent slab is restricted to only luxury and sin goods, apart from auto parts and cement: tax rates on which could not be cut due to the high revenue implication. GST on movie tickets costing up to Rs 100 was cut to 12 percent from 18 percent, while tickets over Rs 100 will attract 18 percent tax, against 28 percent earlier. This will have a revenue implication of Rs 900 crore. Monitors and TV screens up to 32-inches and power banks will attract 18 percent GST, as against 28 percent earlier. The new tax rates will come into effect from 1 January, 2019.