The 56th GST Council meeting introduced significant rate reductions across a wide range of goods, with a clear focus on lowering costs for households, the housing sector, and small-scale enterprises.
Among the key changes, the GST rate on marble, travertine, and granite blocks has been slashed from 12% to 5%, a move expected to ease construction costs in housing projects, especially across states like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Similarly, sand lime bricks and stone inlay work will now attract 5% GST instead of 12%, helping bring down rural housing expenses.
In household goods, aluminium and copper articles as well as milk cans will see GST cut to 5% from 12%. The same reduction has been extended to brass kerosene pressure stoves, providing much-needed relief to rural and low-income families dependent on basic cooking tools.
The reforms also extend to artisans, with handicrafts made of brass, copper, and aluminium brought under the 5% GST slab. This is expected to boost demand, expand customer reach, and give a push to local artisans under the Make in India vision.
In the mining and logistics sector, the GST rate on multimodal transport of goods, including minerals such as iron ore, has been reduced from 12% to 5% with restricted credit. This is aimed at easing the cost of long-distance mineral movement.
Overall, the latest GST reforms are expected to significantly reduce input costs in housing, strengthen MSMEs, and provide a major boost to India’s handicraft and artisan community.
