It has been noted that a section of the media has reported that feedback has been sought from States regarding a suggestion for raising Good & Services Tax (GST) rates on 143 items.

Some reports have even carried the number and description of items. It is clarified that no feedback from States has been sought on the GST rates for any specific items or specific proposals to restructure the rates and the reports regarding the same are purely speculative without any basis in fact.

The GST Council, in its 45th Meeting had formed a Group of Ministers (GoM) to look into the rationalization of rates. The deliberations of the Group are ongoing. The views of the States were sought generally on the Terms of References (ToRs) of the GoM soon after it was set up in September, 2021. A report of the Group is yet to be submitted to the Council for consideration.

GST rate rationalization: no state feedback was sought on specific items; Group of Ministers' review remains pending. Clarification that no consultation has been undertaken with States on proposals to raise Goods and Services Tax rates for identified items; reports claiming feedback was sought on specific items are unfounded. The GST Council established a Group of Ministers to examine rate rationalization, States were consulted only on the Group's Terms of Reference, and the Group's report is yet to be submitted to the Council.