Even as the 53rd GST Council meeting convened on Saturday, June 22, 2024, finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who chaired the meeting alongside state finance ministers, made announcements on a number of issues such as tax amendments, Aadhaar biometric integration, GST on milk cans, exemptions in railway services, etc. Here are the key highlights from the session:

  • GST Rate on Milk Cans: A uniform GST rate of 12 per cent  was announced by Sitharaman for all milk cans, irrespective of whether they are made of steel, iron, or aluminum
  • Petrol and Diesel under GST: The central government reiterated its intent to bring petrol and diesel under GST, pending a consensus among states to determine the applicable tax rate
  • Indian Railways Services: The council granted GST exemption on platform tickets, aimed at easing financial burdens on passengers
  • Aadhaar-Based Biometric Authentication: In a bid to curb fraudulent practices like fake invoicing for illicit input tax credit (ITC), the council approved the nationwide rollout of Aadhaar-based biometric authentication, highlighting its role in enhancing tax compliance
  • Reduction in GST for Carton Boxes: A decision was made to reduce the GST rate on various types of carton boxes from 18 per cent  to 12 per cent , a move intended to benefit manufacturers and consumers alike
  • Exemption for Hostel Accommodation: Services related to hostel accommodation outside educational institutions were exempted from GST up to Rs 20,000 per person each month, announced the Finance Minister