Srinagar: BJP J&K State Co-Media Incharge Adv. Sajid Yousuf Shah on Thursday hailed the recommendations of the 56th GST Council meeting in New Delhi, calling them “historic reforms that will directly benefit households, farmers, traders, and key sectors of the economy.”
In a statement, Shah said the reforms approved under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi represent a decisive shift towards a simpler, citizen-friendly tax regime. He noted that:
• Social Security: Individual health and life insurance policies are now fully exempted from GST.
• Healthcare: GST on life-saving essentials such as medical-grade oxygen, diagnostic kits, glucometers, corrective spectacles (12% → 5%), and thermometers (18% → 5%) has been slashed.
• Household Needs: Daily-use products like shampoo, toothpaste, soaps, toothbrushes, shaving cream (18% → 5%) and food items such as butter, ghee, cheese, dairy spreads, and packaged namkeens (12% → 5%) are now cheaper. Feeding bottles, baby napkins, and diapers will also attract only 5% GST.
• Agriculture: GST on tractors, tyres, drip irrigation systems, bio-pesticides, and machinery for soil preparation/harvesting (12%–18% → 5%) has been reduced, benefiting farmers.
• Mobility: Motorcycles up to 350cc, three-wheelers, and small hybrid vehicles now attract 18% GST (down from 28%). Goods transport vehicles have also seen a reduction from 28% to 18%.
• Education: Essential supplies for students including maps, charts, pencils, sharpeners, exercise books, and erasers are now GST-free.
• Electronics: GST on ACs, televisions above 32”, dishwashers, monitors, and projectors has been cut from 28% to 18%.
Shah further welcomed process reforms such as automatic GST registration within three working days, faster provisional refunds, correction of inverted duty structures, and special provisions for zero-rated supplies.
“These reforms are not just rate cuts, they are a bold step towards Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business. They will benefit citizens, MSMEs, and farmers across India, including Jammu & Kashmir,” Shah said, adding that the changes will make essentials more affordable, boost consumption, and support India’s economic momentum.
