<h1>Industry chamber hails two-tier GST 5% and 18% from Sept 22; tourism mixed as hotel ITC cuts offset rate</h1> A state industry chamber welcomed the GST Council's approval of a two-tier rate structure of 5% and 18%, effective September 22, calling the reforms a step toward ease of doing business, reduced consumption slabs, benefits for farmers, increased self-reliance and mitigation of external tariffs. Tourism stakeholders gave a mixed response to the cut of hotel tariffs to 5%, noting the reduction is partly offset by curtailed input tax credit (ITC) benefits; trade representatives say hotel restaurants required to collect GST at 5% without ITC could advantage large hotels previously charging 18% with full ITC.