Government has received requests from trade associations in Tamil Nadu, including the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association and the Camphor Tableters Association, for reductions in GST rates on essential food items and camphor used in religious practices. There is also a request to exempt services provided by chit fund foremen. Additionally, some stakeholders have sought a reduction in GST rates for certain service products from 18% to 12% and 12% to 5%. However, changes in GST rates and exemptions require recommendations from the GST Council, a constitutional body comprising representatives from both the Union and State Governments. Regarding medical equipment, including stents, no recommendations for GST rate reductions have been made by the GST Council at this time.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FINANCE
DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-1371
ANSWERED ON – 11/03/2025
REQUEST FOR REDUCTION OF GST RATES
1371. SHRI R. GIRIRAJAN:
Will the Minister of Finance be pleased to state:
a. whether Government has received any request from traders, manufacturing units and service sector from Tamil Nadu to reduce the GST rates from the existing rates and if so, the details thereof;
b. whether Government has received any request to reduce the GST rates of certain service products from 18 to 12 per cent and 12 to 5 per cent and if so, the details thereof; and
c. whether Government has any plans to reduce the GST rates for Medical equipment and instruments including stents and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE
(SHRI PANKAJ CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b): The Government has received requests from trade associations from Tamil Nadu such as, Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association, Camphor Tableters Association seeking reduction in GST rates on several essential edible foods, camphor meant for aarti. Similarly, request has been received to exempt services provided by a foreman of a chit fund. GST rates and exemptions, on both goods and services, are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council which is a constitutional body comprising of members from both the Union and the States/UT government. Therefore, for GST exemption or reduction in GST rate, recommendation of GST Council would be required..
(c): GST rates and exemptions, on both goods and services, are prescribed on the recommendations of the GST Council which is a Constitutional body comprising of members from both the Union and the States/UTs. There is no such recommendation of the GST Council.
