Diesel, petrol in GST list may be discussed in 45th Council meeting today

New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) The GST Council in its meeting on Friday may discuss the possibility of bringing diesel and petrol in the ambit of new indirect tax regime besides considering a proposal to levy 5 per cent tax on food-delivery apps such as Zomato and Swiggy.
Among other items expected to be on the agenda are continuing GST tax concessions on Covid-19 drugs and bringing down rate for few more drugs.
While there is unlikely to be a consensus on inclusion of the two key auto fuels in the GST net, the states are likely to come on board over a government panel’s suggestion to treat Zomato and Swiggy as restaurants and impose a levy.
States are not yet ready to cede their power to levy tax. Moreover, inclusion of diesel and petrol may lead to lower mop-up of revenue.
“There are many items on the agenda. A discussion on bringing petrol and diesel is very well in the realm of possibility. The report of a panel comprising state finance ministers is also to be taken up,” said an official.
Opposition-ruled states such as Maharashtra and Punjab are set to press for timely payment of GST compensation cess.
The 45th Council meeting will be held in Lucknow with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chairing it. Minister of States (MoS) for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary and Finance Ministers of states and Union Territories (UTs) would attend the crucial meeting.