Group of Ministry submits its Report on GST Waiver for Current Pandemic- Covid Essentials

A group of ministers (GOM) led by Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma is learned to have recommended no change in the 5 percent goods and service tax (GST) rate for Covid-19 vaccines while suggesting a reduction of the GST rate temporarily to 5 percent for both commercial imports and domestic supply of most other Covid medicines and materials.

It also suggested exemption from GST for the black fungus drug Amphotericin B for three months.

The GoM, which had time till Tuesday to submit its report, gave it to the Council on Monday itself, a state government official said.

The Council’s fitment committee had earlier recommended retaining a 5 percent GST on both commercial import and domestic supply of vaccines.

At present oxygen concentrators, medical-grade oxygen, pulse oximeters, and Covid testing kits attract 12 percent GST on commercial imports and domestic supplies.

Ventilators and Covid medicines attract 12 percent GST. It is 18 percent on RT-PCR kits, protective garments, etc.

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