Vandalism in Howrah over controversial painting during Durga Puja; 30 arrested
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Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced that the GST Council has decided to lower the tax rates on certain cancer drugs from 12% to 5% during the 54th meeting. This significant reduction aims to make these life-saving medications more affordable for patients. Additionally, the GST rate on Namkeen has been reduced from 18% to 12%, offering some relief to everyday consumers.
The council is also considering reducing GST rates on medical health insurance, with a final decision to be made in November. A Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary will review the matter and submit a report by the end of October.
Sitharaman also highlighted the growth in revenue from online gaming, which surged by 412% in the last six months, reaching ₹6,909 crore. The revenue from casinos also saw an increase of 34% in the same period. The minister noted that a GoM will be formed to address the cessation of compensation cess after March 2026.
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