PHD Chamber urges the Government to rationalise 28% GST on white goods

While welcoming the GST rate structure of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% announced by the Union Finance Minister, the President, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dr. Mahesh Gupta said 28 per cent tax on white goods is not in sync with the present tax reforms.

Dr. Mahesh Gupta said that high tax rate will have a cascading impact on the consumer goods segment and hit to consumer demand majorly in the rural segments of the economy as demand is primarily emerging for the rural sectors of the economy.

I strongly believe that the impact of GST would be a major game changer for the economy for accelerating the economic growth and generating more and more employment opportunities, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta.

The lowest tax rate of 5 percent is suggested to be levied on items of mass consumption such as spices, mustard oil etc. which are used particularly by common people is a welcome step. The standard tax rate of 12 and 18 percent would accommodate most of the goods and services including processed foods, soaps, oil, smart phones etc. is also good.

We appreciate the pre emptive measures to keep inflation under check as essential items including food, which presently constitute roughly half of the consumer inflation basket, will be taxed at zero rate, said Dr. Gupta.

Undoubtedly, the interest of common man has been duly taken care of which is evident from finalisation of 5% tax rate on common use items, as against 6% proposed earlier. Further, zero rating of necessities is also a welcome move in the beneficial interest of the common man, said Dr. Mahesh Gupta

The fourth slab of 28 percent will imply to white goods and cars while an additional cess will be collected along with the higher tax rate of 28 percent on Luxury cars, which the industry says is counterproductive to the ongoing tax reforms in the country as it will have impact on demand and make in India programme and consequently on manufacturing and employment, said Dr. Gupta.

The Chamber urges the government to look into GST rate for white goods and to reduce the same to maintain a rational rate in line with the initial aims of GST implementation. The chamber awaits the rates for gold and precious metals which will be announced today during the GST council meet today, he said.