5 key developments: GST rates fixed, food security act now covers entire nation

In other news, BJP announces six faces for UP election campaign

Business Standard brings to you a list of five key political developments across the country.

GST Council finalises peak rate at 28%

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council on Thursday decided upon a four-slab tax structure of five per cent, 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 28 per cent, with lower rates for essential items and the highest for luxury and de-merits goods, many of which would also attract an additional cess. A proposal by some states, including Kerala, to have special GST rates on luxury and sin goods was not accepted. (Read more: GST Council finalises peak rate at 28%)

Rahul, Kejriwal attend funeral of ex-serviceman in Haryana

A day after Delhi witnessed high political drama over the suicide of retired army subedar Ram Kishan Grewal (69), he was cremated at his native village on Thursday in the presence of several political leaders and a large number of mourners. Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal attended the funeral ceremony along with several senior political leaders and workers from their parties. (Read more: Rahul, Kejriwal attend funeral of ex-serviceman in Haryana)
 

BJP announces six faces for UP election campaign

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not have a chief ministerial face for the Uttar Pradesh Assembly polls, at least not yet. Instead, it will have six prominent leaders to do much of the campaigning. These include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, party President Amit Shah and four prominent state leaders who represent what the BJP believes to be its support among upper castes and Other Backward Castes. The list does not have a single Dalit leader. (Read more: BJP announces six faces for UP election campaign)

Food Security law: Kerala, Tamil Nadu come on board

The National Food Security Act, which promises to subsidise food grain for about 810 million people, now covers the whole country, more than three years after it was formally notified. With Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the two states resisting its implementations for different reasons, now agreeing to implement it from November 1, all 36 states and Union territories have been brought under it. (Read more: Food Security law: Kerala, Tamil Nadu come on board)

After Mulayam's call, Nitish set to attend SP silver jubilee function

Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) President Nitish Kumar on Thursday decided to attend the Samajwadi Party’s foundation day function in Lucknow on Saturday, in what is being seen as a step towards bringing in renewed unity in the socialist camp ahead of the UP Assembly polls early next year. (Read more: After Mulayam’s call, Nitish set to attend SP silver jubilee function)