<h1>Central government announces GST two-rate structure (5% and 18%), links tax changes to savings, farmer and low-income benefits</h1> The central government announced GST rate rationalisation to a two-rate structure (5% and 18%), asserting resultant consumer savings and income-tax threshold increases, and linked these fiscal changes to reductions in prices and benefits for farmers and low-income groups; the statement accused an opposition-led state government of imposing additional state levies that negate central GST relief. The government inaugurated and funded multiple infrastructure, education, health and housing projects and schemes targeted at vulnerable groups, and launched telecom and semiconductor initiatives. Legal issues raised include intergovernmental tax competence, potential state levies' compatibility with GST law, and administrative implementation of transfers and beneficiary entitlements.