Latest News
GST rates for these items has been revised. Did you know?

Following the 45th GST Council Meet on Friday, in Lucknow, a number of goods and commodities saw a revision of GST rates. It should also be noted that the GST Council, under the chairmanship of Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman decided to extend the existing concessional GST rates on the supply of goods and services in relation to GST law and procedures.
One such important change was that of the concessions on the GST rates introduced for the Covid-19 treatment drugs till December 31, 2021. The council also felt that it was not the right time t include petrol or diesel under the GST, quelling the concerns and speculations that surrounded the topic ahead of the meeting.
As per a statement made by Sitharaman after the press briefing, it was revealed that the GST Council members did not want petroleum products to be included under the GST and the only reason that it did come on the agenda of the meeting was due to the Kerala High Court’s order where it suggested that matter should be taken up by the council during the meeting.
With that in mind, here are the revised concessional GST Rates going forward.
- Remdesivir – 5 per cent concession
- Tocilizumab -nil
- Anti-coagulants like Heparin – 5 percent concession
Newly Slashed GST rates of 5 percent on other Covid-19 treatment drugs up to December 31, 2021
- Itolizumab
- Posaconazole
- Infliximab
- Favipiravir
- Casirivimab & Imdevimab
- 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose
- Bamlanivimab and Etesevimab
Major Recommendations on GST Rate Changes for Goods (Effective from October 1, 2021)
GST Rates that were Slashed
- Retro fitment kits for vehicles used by the disabled – GST rate slashed to 5 percent
- Fortified Rice Kernels for schemes like ICDS etc. – GST slashed from 18 percent to 5 percent
- Medicine Keytruda for treatment of cancer – GST slashed from 12 percent to 5 percent
- Biodiesel supplied to OMCs for blending with Diesel – GST slashed from 12 percent to 5 percent
- IGST on import of medicines for personal use (Zolgensma for Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Viltepso for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Other medicines used in treatment of muscular atrophy recommended by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Department of Pharmaceuticals) – GST slashed from 12 percent to Nil GST
- Unintended waste generated during the production of the fish meal except for Fish Oil – Nil GST for the period of July 1, 2017, to September 30, 2019.
- IGST exemption on goods supplied at Indo-Bangladesh Border haats – Nil GST
GST Rates that were Hiked
- Ores and concentrates of metals such as iron, copper, aluminium, zinc and few others – GST rates hiked from 5 percent to 18 per cent
- Specified Renewable Energy Devices and parts – GST rates hiked from 5 per cent to 12 per cent
- Cartons, boxes, bags, packing containers of paper etc. GST rates hiked from 12/18 percent to 18 per cent
- All kinds of pens – GST increased from 12/18 per cent to 18 per cent
- Railway parts, locomotives and other goods in Chapter 86 – GST rates hiked from 12 per cent to 18 per cent
- Miscellaneous goods of paper like cards, catalogue, printed material (Chapter 49 of tariff) – GST rates hiked from 12 per cent to 18 per cent
- Waste and scrap of polyurethanes and other plastics – GST rates hiked from 5 per cent to 18 percent
Another important factor that was discussed was the hike in GST rates levied against online food delivery platforms such as Swiggy and Zomato. The GST hike against these platforms was 5 percent at the point of delivery, which translates to higher prices when ordering food via the delivery giants.
Latest News
The City’s Sanitation Suffers As More Than 8,000 NMMC Contract Workers Go On An Indefinite Strike

Over 8,000 NMMC Contract Workers Go on Indefinite Strike, City’s Sanitation Hit
The Workers
More than 8,050 contractual workers of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) have launched an indefinite strike, bringing garbage collection and other civic services to a standstill. The workers are demanding equal pay for equal work, citing a policy adopted by NMMC in 2007.
The protest stems from wage disparities between contractual and permanent employees. Workers are demanding salaries on par with fourth-class permanent staff, along with benefits such as gratuity, earned leave, medical leave, provident fund, and uniforms.
Union leader Mangesh Ladh stated that despite years of legal battles, committee reports, and government assurances, no final decision has been implemented. A 2022 committee found that equal pay for contractual workers would cost the NMMC an additional ₹20.43 crore annually. However, proposals sent to the state government have not been acted upon.
Protesting workers have accused the administration of prioritizing other projects over their rightful wages. They point out that while newly hired permanent employees in 2024 receive significantly higher salaries, many contractual workers with over 29 years of service remain underpaid.
The strike is expected to severely impact sanitation, garbage collection, vector control, and public garden maintenance, raising public health concerns.
“Road sweeping, garbage collection, and sewage complaints will be unattended if the strike continues. I hope the NMMC Commissioner resolves the issue soon,” former corporator Divya Vaibhav Gaikwad said.
Workers have vowed to continue their protest until they receive a written assurance from the authorities.
Latest News
To Find Kharghar Techie’s Killers, Police Form Ten Teams

Police Form 10 Squads to Track Down Kharghar Murder Suspects.
The Teams
Mumbai police have set up 10 squads to locate and arrest the suspects involved in the murder of 45-year-old IT specialist Shivkumar Roshanlal Sharma in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai. Sharma was attacked on February 2 while returning home from Vashi on his two-wheeler.
According to reports, two helmeted assailants on a motorcycle stopped Sharma near Utsav Chowk, accusing him of reckless overtaking. A confrontation ensued, during which one suspect, dressed in a black kurta-pajama, held Sharma while the other, wearing a green kurta-pajama, repeatedly struck his head with a helmet. The attackers fled the scene.
Sharma managed to reach the police station to file a complaint but collapsed moments later. He was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Authorities are analyzing technological evidence to track the suspects and are awaiting a lab report on blurry images of the attackers’ vehicle registration number. CCTV footage has captured their movements at a toll booth in Navi Mumbai.
Senior Inspector Deepak Surve confirmed that Sharma worked as a project manager at an IT firm in Real Tech Park, near Vashi railway station. A murder case has been filed, and a manhunt is underway.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders Nitesh Rane and Kirit Somaiya visited Sharma’s family, assuring them of swift justice. Somaiya stated that police had promised to arrest the accused within two days, condemning the brutality of the attack.
Latest News
NMMC Promises To Take Action On Demands And Urges Contract Workers To End Their Strike Over The Demand For Equal Pay

NMMC urges contract workers to end Illegal strike, cites ongoing efforts.
The Actions
The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has urged contract workers to call off their indefinite strike, calling it unlawful and unnecessary. Despite the administration’s steps to address their concerns, the Samaj Samata Kamgar Sangh (Navi Mumbai) began the strike on Monday.
NMMC clarified that contract workers have been employed through contractors since its inception and are paid as per the Minimum Wages Act, not entitled to “equal pay for equal work” per a 2013 Supreme Court ruling. The corporation assured that wages, allowances, and bonuses are being regularly disbursed.
To resolve the issue, NMMC sought guidance from the state government in 2022 and 2023. In September 2024, the government advised the corporation to evaluate its financial capacity and decide accordingly. A committee found that implementing “equal pay for equal work” would lower wages below the minimum wage. This was conveyed to labor unions in meetings on December 27, 2024, and January 16, 2025.
A high-level meeting on January 3, chaired by NMMC Commissioner Dr. Kailas Shinde, led to the formation of a special committee under a retired Additional Chief Secretary to reassess the issue. The panel’s first meeting is scheduled for February 12, 2025.
Despite these steps, workers accuse NMMC of submitting incorrect reports and ignoring the Chief Minister’s directives. NMMC has urged unions to await the committee’s report and warned that disrupting civic services through an unlawful strike would harm citizens.
-
India3 years ago
As the arrangement with Prashant Kishor falls through Rahul Gandhi has gone overseas again and is uncontactable
-
Fact Check4 years ago
Nidhi Razdan, fake Harvard professorship, and here is the explanation through her blog.
-
Latest News3 years ago
Tata wins Air India with ₹18,000 crore bid
-
Technology3 years ago
BSNL reveals all new 4G plans starting at ₹16
-
Latest News4 years ago
Government has spent ₹9,725 crores on Covid-19 vaccination drive so far
-
Latest News3 years ago
Jharkhand government cuts Petrol price by massive ₹25 a litre but with a catch
-
Navi Mumbai4 years ago
Navi Mumbai civic body raids and tests morning walkers, many found COVID positive
-
Latest News4 years ago
Raj Kundra Gave ₹25 Lakh Bribe to Mumbai Crime Branch to Avoid Arrest