GST Councils 38th meeting Highlights of decisions taken on Rate Changes

The 38^th meeting of the GST Council met under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman here today. The meeting was also attended by the Union Minister of State for Finance & Corporate Affairs Shri Anurag Thakur  besides Finance Ministers of States & UTs and senior officers of Ministry of Finance.  The GSTCouncil recommended the following relating to changes in GST rates, exemptions.

1. To exempt upfront amount payable for long term lease of industrial/ financial infrastructure plots by an entity having 20% or more ownership of Central or State Government. Presently, the exemption is available to an entity having 50% or more ownership of Central or State Government. This change shall become effective from 1^st January, 2020.

2. To levy a single rate of GST @ 28% on both State run and State authorized lottery. This change shall become effective from 1^st March, 2020.

3. The Council also considered the rate of GST rate on Woven and Non-Woven Bags and sacks  of polyethylene or polypropylene strips or the like , whether or not laminated, of a kind used for packing of goods ( HS code 3923/6305)in view of the requests received post the changes recommended on such goods in last meeting and recommended to raise the GST to a uniform rate of 18%(from 12%) on all such bags falling under HS 3923/6305 including Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC). This change shall become effective from 1^st January, 2020.

[This note presents the decision of the GST Council in simple language for easy understanding which would be given effect to through Gazette notifications/ circulars which shall have force of law.]

• Non- payment of cost imposed can’t trigger automatic confirmation of an invalid exparte assessment.
• Non-deduction of TDS does not make transaction as unexplained in the hands of deductee – ITAT
• Last date to submit MEF 2026-27 extended to 09.09.2026
• Validity of demand u/s 156 for default u/s 115-O, if assessment order u/s 143(3) has Nil demand
• Issue already examined and adjudicated by CIT(Appeals), can’t be reopened on same set of facts