Page 3 - Gst Rate Cuts

H-1B visa fee hike, GST cut, trade talks likely to steer markets this week

The decision to hike US H-1B visa application fee to USD 100,000, trade talks and the GST rate cut will be the key drivers for stock market movement this week, analysts said. Besides, trends in global equity markets would also be tracked by investors. "This week, markets will first react to the US imposing an annual fee of USD 100,000 on H-1B visas, announced late Friday. While export-driven sectors are already grappling with tariff-related pressures, this move could further weigh on IT services exporters at a sensitive time when trade negotiations remain underway," Ajit Mishra SVP, Research, Religare Broking Ltd, said. Globally, investors will be closely monitoring the performance of US markets in the aftermath of the Federal Reserve's rate cut, he added. Trouble mounted for the USD 285-billion Indian IT sector in its largest outsourcing market, as the US decided to hike H-1B visa application fee to USD 100,000 (about Rs 88 lakh), with apex body Nasscom warning that business ...

Navaratri bonanza for buyers as car, bike makers roll out price cuts

Buyers are in for a bonanza with leading automakers Maruti Suzuki, Tata Motors and Hyundai Motor India set to cut prices from Monday, coinciding with the first day of the auspicious Navaratri period. Luxury carmakers Mercedes-Benz and BMW as well as two-wheeler makers are set to reduce prices with new GST coming into force from September 22. Maruti Suzuki India, the country's largest carmaker, has cut vehicle prices by up to Rs 1.29 lakh to pass on the GST rate cut benefit to customers. The company has also decided to cut prices of its small cars over and above the GST benefit of 8.5 per cent to make vehicles attractive for two-wheeler users to switch to four-wheelers. The prices of entry-level model S Presso will go down by up to Rs 1,29,600; Alto K10 by up to Rs 1,07,600; Celerio by Rs 94,100; Wagon-R by up to Rs 79,600 and Ignis by up to Rs 71,300. Price of premium hatchback Swift is reduced by up to Rs 84,600; Baleno by up to Rs 86,100; Tour S by up to Rs 67,200; Dzire by up t

GST rate cut kicks in from Monday, goods, services to become cheaper

Prices of kitchen staples to electronics, from medicines and equipment to automobiles, will get cheaper from Monday as the reduced GST rates on about 375 items come into effect. In a bonanza to consumers, the GST Council, comprising Centre and states, has decided to reduce tax rates on goods and services, from September 22 -- the first day of the Navaratri. Mass consumption items like ghee, paneer, butter, 'namkeen', ketchup, jam, dry fruits, coffee and ice creams, and aspirational goods like TV, AC, washing machines will become cheaper. Various FMCG companies have already announced reduction in prices in view of GST rationalisation. With GST on most drugs and formulations, and medical devices like glucometers and diagonistic kits reduced to 5 per cent, the cost of medicines will come down for the common man. Also, home builders will benefit as GST on cement has been cut to 18 per cent, from 28 per cent. The government has already directed pharmacies to revise their MRP or sell ..

Lower GST rates to ease tax burden, boost MSMEs, aid formalisation: Report

The government's announcement of GST 2.0 will not only ease tax burden on households, empower MSMEs, and accelerate formalisation, but also bring India closer to the dream of a single tax regime, a report said. The GST overhaul will nearly triple the share of items taxed at 5 per cent, rising from 54 consumption categories to 149 categories under GST 2.0, FICCI's Committee Against Smuggling and Counterfeiting Activities Destroying the Economy (CASCADE) said in a report. For rural households, the share of exempt and merit goods in their consumption basket is expected to rise sharply from 56.3 per cent to 73.5 per cent, while for urban households, this share is likely to increase from 50.5 per cent to 66.2 per cent, it said. "As a result, effective GST incidence for rural families falls from 6.03 per cent to 4.27 per cent, while for urban households it reduces from 6.38 per cent to 4.38 per cent. This means more disposable income in the hands of consumers, which in turn will fuel ...

GST cut relief: Two-wheeler prices may decline by as much as ₹24,500

The GST Council recently cut tax rates on sub-350cc two-wheelers and three-wheelers from 28 per cent to 18 per cent, effective September 22, 2025

Simplifying GST rates is welcome, but real competitiveness needs more

Rate rationalisation is welcome, but more work is needed to eliminate cascading taxes

GST rate cut to lower cement prices by ₹30 to 35 per bag, reports Ind-Ra

The GST rationalisation will bring down the prices of cement by Rs 30-35 per 50 kg bag and lower the cost of construction, a report from India Ratings and Research (Ind-Ra) said. Last week, the GST Council decided to overhaul the current GST regime into a two-slab structure -- 5 per cent and 18 per cent. From September 22, cement will be taxed at 18 per cent, instead of 28 per cent now. The report said the revamp is a "structural positive" for the cement sector and could support demand in the affordable segment, which has been tepid in recent times. Ind-Ra believes companies will likely largely pass on this benefit by reducing selling prices which will help lower construction costs for infrastructure and housing projects. "With the rate cut likely to be passed on due to high competition, cement prices for consumers would soften while net realisations for cement companies may remain range bound," it said. However, Ind-Ra maintains its cement demand growth forecast at 5-7 percent ..

Govt clears MRP fixes for unsold FMCG inventory after GST rate change

Allows price revisions until December 31

GST reforms should be the beginning of more reforms in all laws

Such changes have received sufficient media coverage, and so, I will focus more on certain other aspects

GST reforms: Hyundai Motor India set to cut prices by up to ₹2.4 lakh

Hyundai to cut prices of Verna, Creta, Venue, i20 and Tucson by up to ₹2.40 lakh from Sept 22 after GST rate cut, making cars more affordable this festive season

Defiance won't beget India respect, export-focused manufacturing base will

One of the best ways to judge the impact of any policy is to check its effect on stock prices of companies, supposedly benefiting

Looking at India for small e-cars as GST rate cuts boost market: VW CEO

German automotive group Volkswagen is looking at India as a potential market for its affordable small electric cars and is working with partners on how to best introduce them in the market, its CEO Oliver Blume said on Sunday. The group, which presented an all-electric small car family in its entirety for the first time at IAA Mobility, feels that the reduction of goods and services tax (GST) on automobiles in India makes the Indian automotive market, already the third largest, more attractive, Blume told PTI here on the sidelines of the event. Under the electric small car family, the VW Group showcased 'ID. CROSS Concept' SUV from Volkswagen brand, Skoda Epiq SUV along with sister models Volkswagen ID. Polo and CUPRA Raval. Blume said the group has been working on the entry level electric mobility across its various brands to offer affordable sustainable mobility under its project called electric urban car family. When asked how the group is looking at India as a market for the ..

No GST cut for detergents, cosmetics surprises FMCG firms: Analysts

Keeping detergents and cosmetics under 18 per cent tax rate with zero savings on these daily-use items for households under the government's sweeping GST restructuring move is surprising, say industry players and analysts. The all-powerful GST Council last week decided to reduce taxes on most of the common-use goods as part of the government's measure to boost consumer spending. The new structure of goods and services tax (GST), which comes into effect on September 22, will have two slabs of 5 per cent and 18 per cent instead of the current four slabs of 5, 12, 18 and 28 per cent. Fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) products such as hair oil, soap, face powders, shampoos, toothbrushes, and toothpaste have come under the lower slab of 5 per cent from 18 per cent. However along with detergents and cosmetics, duty on several items such as hair dye and household insecticides has not been reduced. FMCG companies say they are ready to pass on the benefits of the duty cuts to consumers, ev

GST cut on biogas devices to drive private investment, project growth

The reduction of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on biogas plants and devices will boost private investment in the sector, the Indian Biogas Association said on Sunday. The GST on biogas plants and devices has been cut to 5 per cent from 12 per cent, effective September 22. The GST Council, comprising the Centre and states, last week decided to cut tax rates on 375 items and reduce the number of slabs to just 2 from 4 currently. From September 22, a 5 per cent GST will be levied for most common-use goods and 18 per cent on everything else. The GST Council took a unanimous decision to do away with the 12 and 28 per cent slabs, the biggest rejig in 8 years since Goods and Services Tax (GST) was rolled out on July 1, 2017. Biogas plants and devices should become cheaper and more accessible and more financially attractive for investment, said the Indian Biogas Association (IBA) in a statement. A reduction of 7 per cent (from 12 per cent to 5 per cent) in the applicable GST rate for the C

GST reforms to make life easier for both businesses, consumers: Sitharaman

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said GST reforms include faster refunds, easier registrations and lower tax rates on nearly 400 products, benefiting 140 crore people

KPCC chief admits error over GST 'Bidis and Bihar' social media post

The KPCC president, Sunny Joseph, on Saturday admitted that there was a "mistake" and "lack of caution" while posting the "bidis and Bihar" jibe on the social media handle of the party's state unit, a day after it was deleted following a political backlash. Joseph said the 'X' post was deleted and an apology was tendered by the social media team as directed by the state leadership. Kerala state unit of the Congress in a recent post on X, allegedly drew parallels between Bihar and Bidi (a tobacco product) in the wake of the recent GST reforms, and triggered sharp reactions from the BJP. The now deleted post said, "Bidis and Bihar start with B. Cannot be considered sin anymore". "The post has been deleted. The responsible persons - admin of the social media handle and the person who operates it, withdrew it and tendered an apology. The Congress does not endorse that," Sunny Joseph told a TV channel. While replying to a question, he also said there was a mistake and a lack of caution

Will the GST rate cut bring back foreign investors to Indian stock market?

The primary reason for the underperformance of the Indian market in the past year, according to analysts, is weak domestic growth

Celebrations commence with GST reform announcements, marking economic shift

This courageous move signals the emergence of a stronger economy, clearly indicating that India is firmlyset on a path of progress and growth

GST reforms to boost competitiveness of exporters across sectors

The removal of the value threshold for GST refunds will significantly benefit small and e-commerce exporters by making even low-value shipments eligible for refunds

Datanomics: Fast-moving goods and services key to meeting Modi's objectives

Looking from a different perspective of durability of the products, it is non-durable or fast moving products which would have higher impact on the demand