<h1>Ruling party hails GST overhaul cutting slabs to mainly 5% and 18%, exemptions from Sept 22 amid political dispute</h1> The ruling party celebrated a Goods and Services Tax (GST) overhaul approved by the GST Council, reducing slabs to primarily 5% and 18% and exempting certain insurance premiums, effective September 22, aiming to lower taxes on common and aspirational goods to stimulate consumption. The opposition challenged the ruling party's claim of credit for tax rationalisation; the ruling party countered that prior governments had opportunity but lacked will. Political debate focuses on accountability for policy implementation, federal consensus through the GST Council, and distributional effects of rate changes across sectors.