<h1>GST Council Cuts Rates on Fortified Rice, Exempts Gene Therapy & Clarifies Voucher Rules; Changes Effective April 2025.</h1> The 55th GST Council meeting, chaired by the Union Finance Minister, recommended several changes to GST regulations. Key decisions included reducing the GST rate on Fortified Rice Kernel to 5% and exempting GST on gene therapy and contributions by insurance companies to the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund. The Council clarified that vouchers are not subject to GST and simplified related provisions. It also recommended reducing pre-deposit requirements for appeals involving penalties and clarified tax treatment for various goods and services. Additional measures were proposed to facilitate trade, streamline compliance, and address legal ambiguities, effective from April 2025.