[‘Daily News Updates’ will provide you with a simplified understanding of the important economic/financial events across the country]
GST Council Meet- Decisions Taken
In the ‘Daily News Updates’ yesterday, we mentioned that the GST Council was slated to meet and discuss a variety of issues, mainly regarding the reduction in tax rates on medical supplies, vaccines, essential drugs, etc., used in COVID-19. We also discussed the Union Government’s stand that removing GST on these items would be counter-productive as manufacturers would not be able to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC) and pass on the burden to the consumers. [Read the update to understand and contextualise the decisions]. What was decided in the meeting?
- GST on vaccines (at 5%) to remain unchanged
- GST on Remdesevir (a drug used for treating COVID-19 patients) reduced from 12% to 5%
- Certain medicines for treating Black Fungus, earlier taxed at 5%, have been exempted from GST altogether
- GST on medical Oxygen, Oxygen concentrators, ventilators, COVID testing kits, etc. reduced from 12% to 5%
- GST on hand sanitisers, temperature checking instruments, gas/electric furnaces reduced from 18% to 12%
- Ambulances have been taken out of the 28% slab and put in the 12% slab
Readers should observe that the Government, despite intense pressure, has decided to continue with a 5% levy on vaccines. This is in line with its argument that exempting vaccines from GST will be counter-productive. A complete exemption has been given only for drugs used in the treatment of Black Fungus. But, tax rates on a lot of essential products have been reduced.
How does the GST Council vote?
According to the 101st Amendment of the Constitution (which introduced GST), every decision of the GST Council needs to be taken by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes. The Central Government vote has a weightage of one-third of the total votes cast, and all the state Governments have a weightage of two-thirds. Considering that most states are also ruled by the BJP and its allies, the voting process may essentially be an ‘academic exercise’ with no real implications.
What are Rental Bonds?
In a previous edition of the ‘Daily News Updates,’ we discussed the Model Tenancy Act approved by the Central Government to boost rental housing in the country. We noted that “per the 2011 Census, about one crore properties were lying vacant, a number which must have increased in the past ten years” and that “the current state Acts have become archaic over time because of several restrictions imposed upon the landlord and their visible pro-tenant bias.” Rental Bonds are another step towards reducing the trust deficit that exists between the landlords and the tenants.
What is a Rental Bond? It is a guarantee to the landlord that the tenant will fulfil his obligations under the tenancy agreement. A company (known as the Guarantee Company) issues the bond, covering a certain amount of liability. If the tenant defaults on his rent (or other obligations like utility bills), the landlord can cover his losses up to the coverage provided under the guarantee. For instance, if the rental bond covers up to Rs. 100, the company will pay the landlord this amount when he incurs a loss of Rs. 100 or more due to the tenant’s default.
A rental bond can replace the commonly used ‘security deposits,’ and the tenant will only have to pay a nominal fee for availing the service. For instance, in Bengaluru, a company named Eqaro Guarantees “said that it will issue a customized rental bond on behalf of FF21’s (living-spaces company with eight properties in the city) clients, covering 90 days lock-in period and any unpaid rent during the tenure of the bond.”
Rental bonds are expected to enhance the ease of doing business between the landlords and the tenants.
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