New GST rate for food preparations of millets to be 5% when pre-packaged

The 52nd Meeting of the GST Council has recommended that rates of food preparations of millets be levied 5% when sold pre-packaged with label and zero/nil, if sold other than pre-packaged. The decision experts feel is in line with other such food products levied under the GST regime.

In a similar move, the Council recommended that extra neutral alcohol used for manufacture of liquor for human consumption may be kept outside of the purview of

GST. Experts say that such a move would encourage the states to further include other such items used in liquor manufacturing.

Meanwhile, the service tax related to job work service for processing of barley (also used as an ingredient for manufacture of liquor) to attract 5% against 18%. The GST Council also made recommendation regarding appointment of president and members of the GST Appellate Tribunals.

The Council has also recommended that an advocate with 10 years’ experience in litigation would also be eligible for appointment as judicial member. The tenure of the president and members has been decided to be up to a maximum age of 70 years and 67 years respectively.