Life-saving drugs, including Zolgngelsma and Viltepso will be exempted from GST. In a GST Council, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “I am giving the names of two because those two are very expensive drugs – Zolgensma and Viltepso. These two are very important drugs which cost something like Rs 16 crores. So the council has decided to grant exemption from GST for these 2.”

The finance minister on Friday announced a slew of GST exemptions. In the announcement, the life saving drugs got cheaper. However, there was no decision on bringing petroleum products under GST.

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The 45th meeting of the GST Council, is the first physical meeting since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The last such meeting took place 20 months ago on December 18, 2019.

The finance ministry also said that the concessional GST rates on Corona-related medicines have been extended till December 31, 2021. Transport of export goods by vessel, air are also exempted from GST.

Drugs that are suggested by the Ministry of Health for treating muscular atrophy, on the recommendation of Health Ministry and Department of Pharmaceuticals, are also exempted for IGST on import for personal use.

GST rates on Retro Fitment Kits for vehicles, used by persons with special disabilities, have also been reduced to 5%.

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The GST rates on bio-diesel for blending in diesel was reduced from 12 percent to 5 percent, while the national permit fee for goods carriage has been exempt from GST.

The panel has decided to levy 18 percent GST on all sorts of pens. Specified renewable sector devices will be charged 12 percent tax.

GST Council also recommended new footwear and textile rates from January 1.

Sitharaman said GST Council felt it was not the right time to include petroleum products in GST.