The Government of India on May 29, 2021 constituted an eight-member ministerial panel under the convenership of Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma to examine Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemptions on a range of Covid-19 essentials.
- The panel has been tasked to examine the need for GST concession/exemption on Covid vaccines, drugs and medicines for Covid treatment, testing kits for Covid detection, medical grade oxygen, pulse oximeters, hand sanitisers, oxygen therapy instruments (concentrators, generators and ventilators), PPE kits, N95 masks, surgical masks, thermometers and any other items required for Covid relief.
- While vaccines and cotton masks attract 5 per cent GST, most of these items fall in the 12 per cent tax slab.
- Testing kits, drugs, medical oxygen, oxygen concentrators and ventilators fall under the 12 cent tax bracket.
- Alcohol-based sanitisers, hand wash gels, disinfectants and thermometers attract 18 per cent GST.
About GST
- The Constitutional amendment related to GST was notified as Constitution (101st Amendment) Act 2016 on 8th September, 2016.
- The Constitutional amendment paved way for introduction of Goods and Services Tax in India.
- After the enactment of various GST laws, GST was launched with effect from 1st July 2017.
- As per Article 279A of the amended Constitution, the GST Council-headed by Union Finance Minister, is a joint forum of the Centre and the States.
