No Plan of Government to reduce GST rates on Medical Equipment and Instruments

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary, in a written reply to a question asked in Lok Sabha, said, “No Plan of Government to reduce GST rates on Medical Equipment and Instruments”.

The Minister Shri R.Girirajan asked the following question:

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 percent, 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?

The Minister of State in Ministry of Finance, Shri Pankaj Chaudhary replied:

(a) and (b): The government has received requests from trade associations from Tamil Nadu, such as the Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association, Camphor Tableters Association, seeking reductions in GST rates on several essential edible foods, including 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 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.