The GST Council provided the exemptions at its 50th meeting; experts urge government to waive GST and Customs on all drugs for rare diseases and cancer
The Indian GST Council is scheduled to discuss several matters at its upcoming meeting. These include regulating online gaming taxation, defining utility vehicles, and setting tighter rules for ITC registration claims. The price of food and beverages sold in multiplexes will also be discussed, including whether food served in cinema halls should be taxed at 5% instead of the 18% being charged by some multiplexes.
The Council is also likely to clarify on GST rates applicable on food and beverages sold in multiplexes, exempt GST on import of cancer drug Dinutuximab, and Food for Special Medical Purposes (FSMP) used in the treatment of rare diseases.
The 50th GST Council meeting started on Tuesday and is likely to deliberate on a host of issues including taxation of online gaming, definition of utility vehicles and tightening of norms for registration and claiming of ITC. At the beginning of the meeting taking place in the national capital, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman released a short film titled GST Council - 50 steps towards a journey .
The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, is expected to discuss the report of the Group of Ministers on online gaming, horse racing and casinos.