Products sold at the zero-line of the Indo-Bangladesh border may be Exempted in upcoming GST Council Meeting

According to people familiar with the development, the Union government is considering exempting products sold at the zero line of the Indo-Bangladesh border from goods and services tax (GST) to further strengthen economic ties between the two countries. Bangladesh has surpassed Hong Kong to become India’s fourth-largest export destination.

The topic would be discussed at the 45th meeting of the GST Council in Lucknow on September 17, according to two people familiar with the situation who asked to remain anonymous.

“Bangladesh does not levy any tax on the border ‘haat’ (market), which is confined to approximately four dozen vendors and caters to local requirements in that distant area. Besides, it has no significant revenue implications,” stated one economic ministry employee.

There are four operating ‘haats’ along the India-Bangladesh border at the moment. Two of them are in Meghalaya, while the other two are in Tripura.