GST rates on all Covid treatment related medicines /items, ambulance rates slashed

Guwahati, June 12: The 44th meeting of the GST Council on Saturday decided to slash rates of several Covid-relief items to 5 per cent from existing 12-18 per cent levels, although it kept the much talked-about tax rate on vaccines unchanged at 5 per cent.

Decisions taken: 
    Rate of tax on various Covid relief medical items has been reduced, no change had been made in 5 per cent GST rate on vaccines but it would not impact the public as vaccination is being provided for free.
     The GST Council reduced GST rate on Remdesivir to 5 per cent from 12 per cent and that of medical grade oxygen to 5 per cent.
    The council has also reduced the rates on Amphotericin B, medicine used for black fungus and brought it to nil level exempting 5 per cent rate.
    The tax rate on Tocilizumab, used for treatment of Covid-19 has also been waived off. The previous tax rate was 5 per cent.
    The rate on anti-coagulants like Heparin has also be been slashed to 5 per cent.
    The tax rate on any other drug recommended by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) and Department of Pharma (DoP) for Covid treatment, would be kept at 5 per cent.
    GST on medical grade oxygen, oxygen concentrator, generators, including personal imports, ventilators, BiPAP Machines and high flow nasal canula device has been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent.
    Rates of pulse oximeters, hand sanitisers, temperature check equipment, gas, electric or other furnaces for crematorium, including their installation among others have also been reduced to 5 per cent.
     Covid testing kits too would be taxed at 5 per cent, against the previous rate of 12 per cent.
    In another major move, the GST rate on ambulances has been reduced to 12 per cent from the previous 28 per cent.
    The special duty cuts would be applicable till September 30, 2021 and Council will later decide if further extension is required.