India has embraced GST 2.0, and from September 22, on the first day of Navratri, the prices of numerous items that the common man purchases daily have dropped. These include basics like milk, bread, and dairy products such as butter and paneer. Prior to the implementation of this GST reform, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared this move as the beginning of a savings festival, promising it would save money for both the poor and the middle class. This timely government gift is a sigh of relief during the festive season, as everyday commodities are now significantly cheaper. Let's delve into the price reductions of 20 such everyday items...
From morning to evening, people across the nation purchase essentials like milk, bread, flour, pulses, and vegetables. Effective today, you will save a substantial amount on these purchases, thanks to the new GST reforms that have resulted in price cuts for approximately 99% of daily items.
UHT Milk
Previously, essential items like milk and vegetables were not taxed, and now UHT Milk joins this list at a zero GST rate. Previously, it was taxed at 5%. Following this reform, companies like Amul and Mother Dairy have reduced their prices, effective from September 22. Now, a 1-liter UHT milk (toned-tetra pack) will cost 75 INR instead of 77 INR, and 450 ml packs are now priced at 32 INR instead of 33 INR.
Source: aajtak
Paneer
Paneer, another daily staple, previously taxed at 12%, is now within the zero GST slab. This results in a significant saving; for a 200-gram paneer packet that used to cost 90 INR, you will now save 10 INR.
Butter
Butter, a vital kitchen commodity, is now more affordable. Post-GST rate cuts, 500 grams of butter, formerly costing 305 INR, is now available at 285 INR. A 100-gram butter pat has decreased from 62 INR to 58 INR.
Ghee
Often called liquid gold, ghee's prices have also been slashed. The GST on ghee has been reduced from 12% to 5%, leading to a price drop for many brands. For instance, Amul's 1-liter ghee carton now costs 610 INR, down from 650 INR, and Mother Dairy's equivalent has reduced from 675 INR to 645 INR. Patanjali's cow ghee 900 ml pack has been lowered from 780 INR to 731 INR.
Ice Cream
The GST rate cut also benefits ice cream lovers. Companies had announced price reductions even before these new rates were enforced. From September 22, Amul's 1-liter vanilla magic cup costs 180 INR instead of 195 INR, and the sugar-free royal fig ice cream (125 ml) is now 45 INR, down from 50 INR.
Other reductions include a 5 INR cut for butterscotch (125 ml) and Punjabi kulfi (60 ml). Mother Dairy has reduced its ice candy (45 grams), 50 ml vanilla cup, and 30 ml chocobar prices from 10 INR to 9 INR.
Bread
Bread, a staple in every home, used for tea-time or sandwiches, now comes with welcome relief. Bread, previously in the 5% GST slab, now falls into the zero category. If a packet of bread cost 20 INR, it now costs 19 INR.
Source: aajtak
Pizza
Kids at home love pizza, and even if not daily, you buy it often. The government has reduced the tax on pizzas similar to bread, dropping GST from 5% to zero. Thus, a 100 INR pizza with an additional 5 INR GST will now just cost 95 INR.
Pasta, Corn Flakes, Noodles
Morning begins in many households with pasta or cornflakes, and noodles are a frequent meal choice. From September 22, these items are cheaper, with their GST rate reduced from 12-18% to 5%. So, a packet of noodles costing 100 INR will now have just a 5 INR tax, down from 18 or 12 INR previously.
Biscuits and Snacks
The government has focused on reducing GST on daily household items, including popular biscuits and snacks, previously taxed at 12-18%, now reduced to 5%. Earlier, 5 INR snacks attracted a 60-90 paisa GST, but now it’s just 25 paisa.
Source: aajtak
Oils, Shampoo, Soap
Household essentials like oil, shampoo, and soap have seen a GST cut from 18% to 5%. For instance, a 100 INR priced shampoo pack previously costing 118 INR with tax, now costs 105 INR. Similar savings apply to oil and soap.
Chocolate and Sweets
Highlighting the festive spirit, these have seen significant price cuts. A bar of chocolate, now priced at 44 INR, was earlier 50 INR, while laddus, formerly at 400 INR per kg with a 72 INR tax, now attract just 20 INR.
Pencils, Erasers, Notebooks
The educational focus remains unwavering with no GST on children's school items. This includes notebooks, pencils, erasers, globes, practice books, and graph books, ensuring education supplies are tax-free.
