Overview

• India’s GST 2.0 took effect on September 22 with a two-rate structure of 5% and 18% and lower levies on many goods and services.
• Speaking in Jharsuguda, Prime Minister Narendra Modi alleged the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh imposed a new cement tax and added levies after fuel price cuts, blocking intended relief.
• Himachal BJP chief Rajeev Bindal listed recent state measures, including a Rs 7.50 per litre hike in diesel VAT and an increase in Additional Goods Tax on cement from Rs 7.50 to Rs 16, alongside other fees and cesses.
• Congress leader Jairam Ramesh cited a media report claiming some companies raised prices by up to 10% around the GST changes, arguing that consumers are not receiving promised benefits.
• Ramesh called for a monitoring mechanism to enforce pass-through of tax cuts and proposed a compensation framework to protect state revenues under the new rates.