NEW DELHI: The finance ministry is not in favour of raising Goods and Services Tax (GST) rates even on non-essential items at a time its revenue collections are expected to be badly hit by the ongoing nationwide lockdown to contain the spread of covid-19.
A senior finance ministry official, on the condition of anonymity, said the GST Council meeting is likely to be convened next month. "Post the lockdown, demand has to be induced and economic activity has to improve on all fronts, not just on essential items.
Who are we to decide what is non-essential. However, the Council will take a final call on the matter," the official said. Although the government has eased restrictions in the ongoing lockdown, which is scheduled to end on 31 May,