<h1>GST Council Raises Exemption Limits for Small Businesses and Increases Composition Scheme Threshold; Approves Calamity Cess for Kerala.</h1> The GST Council has doubled the exemption limit for small businesses to Rs. 20 lakh for northeastern states and Rs. 40 lakh for the rest of India. Additionally, the threshold for the GST Composition Scheme has been increased from Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 1.5 crore, providing relief to micro, small, and medium enterprises. The council also approved a 1% calamity cess for Kerala on intra-state sales for up to two years. A seven-member group of ministers will be formed to address differing opinions on including real estate and lottery under GST.