A historic decision was taken at the 56th GST Council meeting, under which 12% and 28% tax slab has been abolished. Now only two slabs – 5% and 18% will remain. On this matter, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that this change will bring relief for common families, farmers, businesses and health sector. He called it the GST improvement of the next generation and the gift of Diwali for the country.

Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram has reacted to the government’s decision. He welcomed it, but also criticized strictly. He wrote on X (East Twitter) that rationalizing GST and decreasing rates on many things and services has been welcome, but this decision has been taken with a delay of 8 years. This existing form and tax slab should not have been implemented from the beginning. We were constantly warning while in opposition, but our arguments were ignored.

The GST Rationalization and the Reduction in Rates on a range of goods and services are welcome but 8 years too late

The current design of gst and the rates previving until today

We have been crying hoorse for the last 8…

– P. chidambaram (@pchidambaram_in) September 3, 2025

P Chidambaram raised questions
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP P Chidambaram questioned why this reform was still done. He speculated the political and economic reasons behind this. He questioned whether this decision has been taken under the pressure of sluggish economic development, increasing domestic debt, decreasing savings, upcoming Bihar elections or American tariffs. All these factors can be forced to force the government.
TMC surrounds the government
The All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) also attacked the central government and called this decision a victory for the public. The TMC said that taxing the insurance premium was cruel and anti -people. Mamta Banerjee opposed this from the beginning. However, this decision proves that the BJP government listens only when it is under pressure. The TMC warned that it will continue to fight against every such anti -people decision between Parliament, Road and the public.

Economic and political impact
Cutting in GST rates will provide relief to consumers and reduce the cost of living. The industry will get a chance to increase sales and production. There will also be pressure on the government that further decisions should be taken in time and transparent manner.

Also read: These things will no longer be taxed, all from milk and drugs out of GST, read the full list here

GST couricil meeting: A two -day meeting of the GST Council has started from Wednesday under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and big announcements can be made on Thursday. It is believed that this meeting will be an important step towards implementing the GST reform announcement made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort.

The aim of the government is to provide a big relief package to the general public, middle class, small traders and farmers before Diwali through this meeting. That is why it has been called ahead of schedule.

Possible major decisions of GST meeting

1. Two slabs instead of four slabs

Currently, four tax slabs of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% are applicable in GST. In the meeting, they are being considered to reduce only two slabs (5% and 18%).

2. Everyday things will be cheaper

Electronic items like TV, washing machine, fridge are currently in 28% GST slab. It is proposed to shift them to 18% slab, which will make these products cheap. There are plans to bring them to 5%, which are currently in 12% slabs like ghee, betel nut, water bottle, salty, medicines and medical equipment.

3. Luxury and harmful items will be expensive

However, while the common consumer will get relief on goods, tax can increase on luxury and harmful products. Premium cars and SUVs currently have 28% GST. It is proposed that they should be brought under the scope of tax of up to 40% under the new reform. If seen in this way, the government wants to give relief to the general public on the one hand, on the other hand, it will try to make revenue balance by increasing tax on luxury conference and harmful products.

On the other hand, the finance ministers of the opposition parties ruled the GST Council met each other before the meeting to be held on Wednesday and demanded compensation from the Central Government to compensate the revenue loss due to the proposed change in the GST rates. Finance ministers of Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and West Bengal participated in this meeting.

In this meeting held last week, these states discussed that if the slabs of 12% and 28% are removed and two slabs of only 5% and 18% are kept by simplifying the tax structure, then the income of the state governments could have a big impact. In such a situation, necessary steps need to be taken to protect their revenue.

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