New Delhi, Sep 6: In a landmark move aimed at strengthening India’s rural economy, the Central Government has announced sweeping Goods and Services Tax (GST) reductions across key sectors that directly impact cooperatives, farmers, and rural enterprises. The reforms, hailed as part of the next generation GST initiative, are expected to benefit over 10 crore dairy farmers and stimulate growth in agriculture, food processing, and logistics.

Dairy Sector Gets Direct Relief

The dairy sector is among the biggest beneficiaries of the new GST structure. Milk and paneer, whether branded or unbranded, have been exempted from GST, while the tax on butter, ghee, and similar products has been slashed from 12% to 5%. Additionally, milk cans made of iron, steel, or aluminium will now attract only 5% GST, down from 12%.

These changes will make dairy products more affordable, enhance nutrition security, and boost women-led rural enterprises, especially self-help groups engaged in milk processing. Cooperative brands like AMUL have welcomed the move, citing its potential to raise farmer incomes and improve competitiveness.

Food Processing and Household Items See Major Cuts

GST on a wide range of cooperative-processed foods—including cheese, pasta, namkeens, jams, jellies, fruit pulps, and juice-based drinks—has been reduced to 5%, down from 12–18%. Popular items like chocolates, corn flakes, ice creams, pastries, cakes, biscuits, and coffee also now attract just 5% GST.

This will reduce household expenditure, stimulate demand in semi-urban and rural areas, and promote growth in food and dairy cooperatives.

Agriculture and Logistics Sectors Strengthened

To support farming operations, GST on tractors below 1800 cc and their components—including tyres, tubes, and hydraulic pumps—has been reduced to 5%. Fertiliser inputs such as ammonia, sulphuric acid, and nitric acid now attract only 5% GST, correcting the inverted duty structure and ensuring affordable fertilisers for farmers.

In a push for organic farming, GST on 12 bio-pesticides and several micronutrients has been reduced from 12% to 5%, aligning with the Natural Farming Mission.

The logistics sector also benefits, with GST on commercial trucks and delivery vans reduced from 28% to 18%, and third-party insurance for goods carriage now taxed at 5% with Input Tax Credit (ITC). These changes will lower freight rates, reduce logistics costs, and improve export competitiveness.

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