Category Archives: policy

As the Shutdown Drags On, Social Safety Nets Will Fail – Liberty Nation News

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As the federal shutdown approaches the one-month mark, there’s still no end in sight. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) continues to stand firm on the House-passed continuing resolution, while the Senate adjourned for the weekend on Thursday without scheduling another vote. Even if a deal seems possible next week, it likely won’t come in time to keep several government-funded benefit programs running without interruption. As November 1 approaches, millions of Americans may begin feeling the impact.

### The Big Day: November 1

The USDA has warned that two critical programs—the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)—could run out of federal funding by November 1.

WIC served more than 6.8 million families during fiscal year 2024. To help keep it afloat during the shutdown, the Trump administration has temporarily redirected $300 million in unspent tariff revenue to cover WIC expenses.

SNAP, which supports roughly 42 million people, does not currently have alternative funding sources sufficient to maintain benefits. At least 25 states plan to pause SNAP payments entirely next month, which will severely affect recipients’ ability to put food on the table.

Recipients are being advised to prioritize purchasing shelf-stable foods with existing funds or to visit food banks to help avoid hunger. Unfortunately, food banks are already feeling the strain from increased demand, with some reporting they are running low on supplies.

### Impact on Head Start Programs

Head Start, a federally funded program offering preschool and daycare services for children under kindergarten age, is also suffering. When the shutdown began, six Head Start locations—serving 6,525 children across three states—did not receive their funding.

By November 1, this number is expected to rise to 140 programs across 41 states and Puerto Rico. An estimated 65,152 young children will have to stay home. This situation may also force at least one parent to stay home, leading to reduced household income and potentially lost jobs.

### The Shutdown Time Crunch

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Monday, October 27—just three days before the November 1 deadline. The House will return on Tuesday, October 28. Even if a deal is hammered out quickly, restarting government functions that have already shut down will take time. Bureaucratic processes do not resume instantly, so service interruptions are likely to occur, even in the best-case scenario.

However, a brief interruption would be preferable to the alternative—an extended shutdown with ongoing consequences.

### Looming Challenges in November and Beyond

November also marks the start of open enrollment for Obamacare insurance plans. If pandemic-era subsidies are not renewed by December 31, they will expire, causing health insurance premiums to spike dramatically. Some estimates suggest premiums could double or even triple in certain cases, with new prices going into effect on November 1.

According to Art Caplan of the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, this will be the largest premium increase since the Affordable Care Act (ACA) took effect. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that as many as four million Americans may drop their health insurance because of the hike.

This looming crisis is why Democratic leadership in the Senate insists on reopening the government only with an ACA subsidy extension included. Yet, some Democrats, such as Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has frequently sided with Republicans to pass the House GOP’s continuing resolution, are urging a different approach.

“I don’t care about who’s winning, who’s losing, who’s going to blink,” Fetterman said to reporters on Thursday, October 23. “America loses. Just open up the whole thing and cut the s—t.”

### What Lies Ahead?

Congress will ultimately approve government funding—whether through a stopgap continuing resolution or full-year appropriations. The only remaining questions are when that will happen and how much collateral damage will be incurred along the way.

With crucial programs under threat and millions of Americans potentially impacted, the need for swift action has never been clearer.
https://www.libertynation.com/as-the-shutdown-drags-on-social-safety-nets-will-fail/

EPFO Cracks Down On Corruption, New Guidelines Alert Staff & Subscribers – Here’s What You Need To Know

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**EPFO Takes Strong Action to Curb Corruption and Improve Services**

**New Delhi:** The Employees Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has announced a major initiative to eliminate corruption within its system. This step follows numerous complaints on social media, where users alleged that certain EPFO officials were demanding bribes to process PF claims.

Many users reported that their applications were rejected without explanation, while others claimed that work only progressed after paying money under the table.

In a firm statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), EPFO reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption. The organization emphasized that all services are completely free, and no one should pay even a single rupee to get their work done.

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### How to File a Complaint if Asked for a Bribe

EPFO has advised individuals who are asked to pay a bribe for services such as claim settlement, registration, or any other assistance to immediately file a complaint. Complaints can be submitted to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) or the Chief Vigilance Officer (CVO) of EPFO.

The organization has warned that strict action will be taken against any employee caught demanding or accepting bribes.

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### Where and How to Complain?

To make it easier for users, EPFO has provided clear complaint options:

– **Online:** File a complaint through the official portal at [www.portal.cvc.gov.in](https://www.portal.cvc.gov.in)
– **Offline:** Send a complaint letter via courier to the postal address mentioned in EPFO’s official social media announcement.

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### Major Changes Recently Made in EPFO

EPFO has introduced several significant changes aimed at making its services faster and smoother:

– **Instant Withdrawals:** Users can now withdraw up to Rs 1 lakh instantly using UPI or ATM, which proves helpful during emergencies.
– **Auto-Settlement Limit Increased:** The auto-settlement limit for claims has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. This means smaller claims will be processed automatically without needing physical verification.
– **Reduced Documentation:** The number of documents required for PF withdrawal has been reduced from 27 to just 18, shortening the processing time to only 3–4 days.
– **Higher Withdrawal for Home Purchase:** Members with more than 3 years of employment can now withdraw up to 90% of their PF balance for buying a house or paying EMIs.

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### EPFO 3.0: The Upcoming Upgrade

A new version of the EPFO system, **EPFO 3.0**, is set to launch soon. It will bring several new features including:

– Integration of UPI payments
– A dedicated mobile app
– ATM card withdrawals
– Real-time service tracking

These enhancements aim to provide a better, more transparent user experience for all EPFO members.

—

Stay tuned for more updates, and remember: EPFO services are free, and any demand for bribes should be reported immediately.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/epfo-cracks-down-on-corruption-new-guidelines-alert-staff-subscribers-heres-what-you-need-to-know

CGHS rates revised after 15 years: How it affects you

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**CGHS Rates Revised After 15 Years: How It Affects You**
*By Mudit Dube | Oct 06, 2025, 05:28 PM*

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**What’s the Story?**

The Union Health Ministry has announced a significant overhaul of the Central Government Health Services (CGHS) scheme for the first time since 2014. The revised rates for nearly 2,000 medical procedures will come into effect from October 13, 2025.

This new rate structure takes into account several important factors, including accreditation status, hospital type, city classification, and ward entitlement, aiming to better reflect current healthcare realities.

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**Scheme Revamp: Addressing Complaints from Beneficiaries and Hospitals**

The revision comes amid growing complaints from CGHS beneficiaries about the denial of cashless treatment by empanelled hospitals. Many patients reported having to pay out of pocket and then wait months for reimbursement.

Hospitals, meanwhile, argued that the government-set package rates had become outdated and failed to keep pace with medical inflation over the past 11 years.

The newly introduced multi-dimensional rate structure seeks to address these issues, ensuring fair compensation for hospitals and smoother access to cashless treatment for patients.

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**New Rate Structure: Based on Ward Entitlement**

The revised framework applies to all categories of CGHS cardholders, with rates anchored to the cost of a semi-private room, which serves as the base package rate.

– **General Ward Entitlement**: A 5% reduction in rates applies.
– **Private Ward Entitlement**: Rates increase by 5% compared to the base.

Additionally, consultations at hospitals and healthcare organizations accredited by NABH or NABL will be charged at the standard base rate. Non-accredited healthcare organizations will have rates 15% lower than those for accredited hospitals.

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**City-Wise Rate Variations Introduced**

To accommodate geographical cost differences, the scheme now includes tier-wise rate variations for CGHS-empanelled hospitals located in Tier I, II, and III cities:

– Rates in **Tier II cities** will be 10% lower than in Tier I.
– Rates in **Tier III cities** will be 20% lower than in Tier I.

However, rates for radiotherapy, investigations, day-care procedures, and minor procedures that do not require hospital admission will remain consistent across all ward entitlements and city classifications.

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**Beneficiary Coverage and Implementation**

CGHS primarily serves central government employees, pensioners, and their dependent family members. As of October 5, 2025, the scheme covers approximately 4.26 million beneficiaries across 80 cities in India.

The Union Health Ministry has instructed all healthcare organizations under the CGHS network to submit an undertaking confirming their acceptance of the new rates’ terms and conditions by October 13. Failure to comply will result in de-paneling from the scheme.

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**What This Means for You**

If you are a CGHS beneficiary, the revised rates could affect the costs associated with your medical procedures depending on your ward entitlement, your city, and the accreditation status of the hospital you visit.

For hospitals and healthcare providers, accepting the new terms is mandatory to continue serving CGHS patients and to receive government reimbursements under the updated framework.

Stay informed and check with your CGHS-appointed healthcare provider about how these changes may impact your access to services and reimbursements going forward.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/business/new-cghs-rate-structure-effective-from-october-13/story

DMV issuing newly designed CA Driver’s Licenses, ID Cards: Here’s the updated look

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SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Starting Wednesday, newly issued California Driver’s Licenses and Identification Cards will sport a fresh new look, as the DMV announces an updated design featuring advanced security features.

According to a DMV press release, the redesigned cards highlight the one-of-a-kind beauty of the Golden State’s landscape, incorporating images of redwood trees, poppies, and the coastline. DMV Director Steve Gordon emphasized that the new design not only celebrates California’s unique scenery but also includes improved security measures and updated technology.

One significant upgrade is the addition of enhanced anti-counterfeit features, such as a digital security signature embedded in one of the back barcodes. Additionally, the new cards will no longer include a magnetic strip on the back.

The last major update to California’s driver’s licenses and ID cards took place in 2010, followed by another redesign in 2018 with the introduction of the REAL ID. Despite the changes, current driver’s licenses and ID cards will remain valid until their expiration date.

The fees remain the same for those seeking an upgraded Driver’s License or Identification Card—$45 and $35, respectively.

This update aims to provide Californians with a more secure and visually appealing form of identification that reflects the state’s natural beauty.
https://fox5sandiego.com/news/california-news/updated-california-drivers-licenses/

Notebook Prices Rise Despite Zero GST; Insurance Policyholders Not Getting Full GST Benefit

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**GST Removal on Notebooks and Stationery Items Leads to Price Hikes**

New Delhi: Under the GST 2.0 reforms, the government has removed GST on notebooks, exercise books, and stationery items. Previously, these items attracted a 12 percent GST and are now tax-free, providing relief to consumers.

However, the raw material for notebooks—paper—has seen its GST rate increase from 12 percent to 18 percent. As a result, notebook prices have risen. Shopkeepers are paying higher GST when purchasing paper but cannot charge any GST while selling notebooks due to the tax exemption. This loss of input tax credit is being added to the final price, causing an increase despite the GST removal on finished products.

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**Insurance Companies Not Fully Passing On GST Benefits to Policyholders**

The GST Council reduced GST on life and health insurance premiums from 18 percent to 0 percent, effective from 22 September. While this move was expected to lower insurance premiums, many policyholders report that insurance companies are not passing on the full benefit.

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**Health Insurance Premiums Rise Despite GST Relief**

Numerous complaints concern health insurance companies. For instance, one policyholder who paid Rs 63,000 last year found their premium increased despite the GST removal. The company attributed the hike to the policyholder moving into a higher age group, highlighting how factors other than GST also affect premium costs.

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**New Add-Ons Used to Justify Premium Rates**

Some insurance companies have added new coverage options or riders to policies, claiming these are additional benefits. Customers, however, argue that such benefits were part of older plans. This strategy has resulted in premiums either remaining unchanged or increasing, negating the intended GST relief.

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**Government and IRDA May Intervene**

Amid mounting complaints on social media, the government is considering asking the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) to investigate the issue and take necessary action to ensure policyholders receive the rightful GST benefits.

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**Life Insurance Premiums See Only Slight Reductions**

While some life insurance policyholders have experienced premium reductions, these decreases are relatively small. For example, one customer reported a mere 2.5 percent premium drop despite the GST rate being cut by 18 percent. This clearly indicates that the full benefit is not reaching customers.

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**Few Companies Passing On GST Benefits**

A limited number of insurance companies have taken steps to reduce policy commissions and lower their costs, thereby passing on GST benefits to customers. However, such cases remain rare.

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**Conclusion**

Although the government has removed GST on notebooks and certain insurance premiums, the benefits are not fully reflected in final prices. Consumers are advised to remain vigilant and report discrepancies to authorities as necessary. The ongoing scrutiny by the government and IRDA is expected to ensure greater transparency and fair pricing in the near future.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/notebook-prices-rise-despite-zero-gst-insurance-policyholders-not-getting-full-gst-benefit

Reeves poised to back down on higher business rates for UK retailers

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A required part of this site couldn’t load. This issue may be caused by a browser extension, network problems, or your browser settings.

To resolve this, please check your internet connection, disable any ad blockers, and try using a different browser.
https://www.ft.com/content/bb92cadf-2274-4de4-a579-cbeee3c0df92

City of Kelowna pushes for action on crime, public safety, seeks more Crown prosecutors

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Mosaic Books in downtown Kelowna, B.C., has experienced its fair share of disruptions over the years, many caused by repeat offenders.

“Our business downtown has been plagued with this for so long, we’ve just kind of given up,” said Mosaic Books owner Michael Neill.

Neill explained that shoplifting, loitering, and property damage are among the regular issues impacting his business and many others across the city.

“It’s been very frustrating,” Neill told Global News. “So much so, staff have a binder with photos of the repeat offenders and a description of the offence. This has been our book of shame, I guess. An incident book,” he added. “So that we can at least let the staff know who they’re looking for.”

Despite these challenges, Neill has newfound hope that better days may be ahead as the City of Kelowna pushes for meaningful judicial changes at the provincial and federal levels.

The city recently sent a 14-page letter to both levels of government titled *Chronic Offenders – Closing the Revolving Door*.

“Municipalities cannot deal with this on their own,” said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas.

The document is very Kelowna-specific. It states that in 2024, 15 offenders accounted for 1,335 police files generated at the Kelowna RCMP detachment. The letter also highlights a fourfold increase in non-compliance with bail conditions in the past five years.

The report reveals significant gaps regarding British Columbia’s charge rate, including in Kelowna. While the national charge rate has declined by 11 percent over the past decade, B.C.’s rate has plummeted by 43 percent. In Kelowna, charges are down by 48.5 percent, while incidents of crime have risen by 5.5 percent during the same period.

“What’s happening is we’re not holding those individuals accountable,” Dyas said.

One of the key calls for action in the letter involves increasing the number of Crown prosecutors. The city is asking the province to assign at least five more prosecutors in Kelowna to keep up with growing demand.

The city is also amplifying its calls for bail reform and wants the province to introduce mandatory compassionate care.

“As a community, we have worked towards creating an avenue forward for those individuals who want to find a better way,” Dyas said. “Examples would be tiny homes, our supportive housing, also our social network. But there’s a group of individuals who need more care, and it is not compassionate to leave them on our streets.”

Neill is hopeful that the badly-needed changes can be implemented to help turn the page for everyone who works and lives in the city.

“I’m just so happy to hear about this and read about this,” Neill said. “It’s long overdue.”
https://globalnews.ca/news/11460407/city-of-kelowna-action-crime-public-safety/

UK Government To Support Tata Motors’ Owned Jaguar Land Rover With 1.5 Billion Pounds Loan Guarantee

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**UK Government Announces £1.5 Billion Loan Guarantee to Support Jaguar Land Rover Following Cyber-Attack**

*London:* The UK government on Sunday announced it will support the iconic British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) with a loan guarantee of up to £1.5 billion. This move aims to provide certainty to the Tata Motors-owned company’s supply chain following a devastating cyber-attack that forced a production shutdown earlier this month.

The loan will be provided through a commercial bank and backed by the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Export Development Guarantee (EDG), facilitated by the export credit agency UK Export Finance. The facility is to be repaid over five years.

The government’s decision is intended to bolster JLR’s cash reserves and support the many small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in its supply chain who are struggling to stay afloat.

“This cyber-attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand, but on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it,” said Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary. “Following our decisive action, this loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside, and throughout the UK.”

Kyle emphasized that the loan guarantee is a vote of confidence in the UK automotive sector, which is expected to benefit from landmark trade deals, including the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves added, “Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British company that employs tens of thousands of people – a jewel in the crown of our economy. Today, we are protecting thousands of those jobs with up to £1.5 billion in additional private finance, helping them support their supply chain and safeguard a vital part of the British car industry.”

This announcement came after Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle and Industry Minister Sarah Jones visited JLR’s Gaydon headquarters in the West Midlands region this week. They also toured JLR’s sunroof manufacturer, Webasto, where they met with senior leaders and workers.

JLR operates plants in Solihull and Wolverhampton (West Midlands), as well as Halewood in Merseyside. It is one of the UK’s largest exporters and a major employer, directly employing around 34,000 people domestically. Moreover, JLR runs the largest supply chain in the country’s automotive sector, primarily composed of SMEs employing approximately 120,000 people.

The Department for Business and Trade said it remains in daily contact with JLR and cybersecurity experts to address ongoing concerns and provide support with the aim of resuming production, which is not expected until next month.

—

**JLR’s Recovery Efforts Amid Cyber-Attack**

In an update issued on Thursday, JLR confirmed that it is working to clear a backlog of payments to suppliers by increasing its invoicing processing capacity.

“As part of the controlled, phased restart of our operations, we have informed colleagues, suppliers, and retail partners that sections of our digital estate are now up and running,” the company stated.

“The foundational work of our recovery programme is firmly underway. We have significantly increased IT processing capacity for invoicing and are now working to clear the backlog of payments to our suppliers as quickly as possible.”

Britain’s largest car manufacturer also revealed that its Global Parts Logistics Centre—which supplies parts to distribution centres for retail partners both in the UK and globally—is returning to full operations.

“This will enable our retail partners to continue servicing our clients’ vehicles and keep our customers mobile,” JLR added.

The company’s financial system used to process vehicle wholesales has also been brought back online, allowing for faster sales and registration of vehicles, which delivers critical cash flow.

JLR’s teams continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and law enforcement agencies to ensure full operations resume safely and securely following what the company described as a “difficult time for all connected with JLR.”

—

**Background on the Cyber-Attack**

A hacking group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters is believed to have claimed responsibility for the incident. This group has been linked to several other high-profile cyber-attacks on UK retailers this year, including Marks & Spencer and Co-op.

Most recently, luxury London department store Harrods reported a cyber-attack this week, which reportedly led to the theft of some customer data.

—

*Disclaimer: This story is from the syndicated feed. No changes have been made except to the headline.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/uk-government-to-support-tata-motors-owned-jaguar-land-rover-with-15-billion-pounds-loan-guarantee-stabilizing-supply-chain-post-cyber-attack

UK Government To Support Tata Motors’ Owned Jaguar Land Rover With 1.5 Billion Pounds Loan Guarantee

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**UK Government Announces £1.5 Billion Loan Guarantee to Support Jaguar Land Rover Following Cyber-Attack**

*London:* The UK government on Sunday announced its support for iconic British carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) with a loan guarantee of up to £1.5 billion. This measure aims to provide certainty to the Tata Motors-owned company’s supply chain in the aftermath of a devastating cyber-attack.

The loan will be extended by a commercial bank and backed by the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Export Development Guarantee (EDG), provided through the export credit agency UK Export Finance. It is to be repaid over a period of five years.

The support is designed to bolster JLR’s cash reserves following the production shutdown that began earlier this month due to the cyber incident. It will also help sustain many firms in the supply chain, predominantly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), which are currently struggling to stay afloat.

Peter Kyle, Business and Trade Secretary, commented, “This cyber-attack was not only an assault on an iconic British brand but also on our world-leading automotive sector and the men and women whose livelihoods depend on it. Following our decisive action, this loan guarantee will help support the supply chain and protect skilled jobs in the West Midlands, Merseyside, and throughout the UK.”

He added that the move represents a vote of confidence in the country’s automotive sector, which stands to gain in the long term from “landmark trade deals,” including the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said, “Jaguar Land Rover is an iconic British company that employs tens of thousands of people — a jewel in the crown of our economy. Today we are protecting thousands of those jobs with up to £1.5 billion in additional private finance, helping them support their supply chain and protect a vital part of the British car industry.”

This announcement follows a recent visit by Peter Kyle and Industry Minister Sarah Jones to JLR’s Gaydon headquarters in the West Midlands, as well as a tour of JLR’s sunroof manufacturer Webasto to meet with senior leaders and workers.

With manufacturing plants located in Solihull and Wolverhampton (West Midlands), and Halewood (Merseyside), JLR is one of the UK’s largest exporters and a major employer, directly employing around 34,000 people. The company also operates the largest supply chain in the UK automotive sector, much of it consisting of SMEs, employing approximately 120,000 people, according to the DBT.

The department remains in daily contact with JLR and cyber experts to address ongoing concerns and offer support aimed at getting production back online. However, full production is not expected to resume until next month.

In an update issued on Thursday, JLR stated it is working to clear the backlog of payments to suppliers by increasing its invoicing processing capacity. “As part of the controlled, phased restart of our operations, we have informed colleagues, suppliers, and retail partners that sections of our digital estate are now up and running,” the company said.

“The foundational work of our recovery programme is firmly underway. We have significantly increased IT processing capacity for invoicing and are now working to clear the backlog of payments to our suppliers as quickly as we can,” JLR added.

Britain’s largest car manufacturer also noted that its Global Parts Logistics Centre, which supplies parts to distribution centres serving retail partners in the UK and globally, is returning to “full operations.” This development will enable retail partners to continue servicing vehicles and keep customers mobile.

Additionally, JLR confirmed that the financial system used to process vehicle wholesales has been restored, allowing the company to sell and register vehicles more rapidly, thereby improving cash flow.

JLR’s teams continue to work around the clock alongside cybersecurity specialists, the UK government’s National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), and law enforcement agencies to ensure the restart of full operations takes place “in a safe and secure manner” following what the company described as a “difficult time for all connected with JLR.”

A hacking group calling itself Scattered Lapsus$ Hunters is believed to have claimed responsibility for the cyber-attack. This group has also been linked to other high-profile attacks on UK retailers earlier this year, including Marks & Spencer and Co-op.

Most recently, London’s luxury department store Harrods reported a cyber-attack this week, with some customer data reportedly stolen.

*Disclaimer: This story is from the syndicated feed. No changes have been made except the headline.*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/uk-government-to-support-tata-motors-owned-jaguar-land-rover-with-15-billion-pounds-loan-guarantee-stabilizing-supply-chain-post-cyber-attack

‘Congress Considered Impossible To Implement GST During Their Time,’ Says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

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New Delhi: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman hit out at the Congress party, stating that while the Congress once considered the Goods and Services Tax (GST) impossible to implement, the Modi government not only rolled it out successfully but is now advancing it with second-phase reforms to ease the burden on common people.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Sitharaman said, “Is the Congress Party demanding five per cent tax on tobacco and gutkha? Congress Party wants us to give it at 5%. Congress Party considered it impossible to implement GST during their time. We have implemented it and are also undertaking second-generation reforms under the leadership of Modi ji so that people get relief on their day-to-day items.”

Sitharaman highlighted that the ongoing GST reforms are benefiting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and labour-intensive industries by simplifying compliance. She urged the Congress to clarify its stance on measures that benefit the people.

“MSMEs and labour-intensive units also get relief, due to which there will be easy compliance. Congress should decide whether it wants to oppose or support issues that are in the interest of the people. People will expose you,” she added.

In a significant announcement, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman revealed a sweeping reduction in GST rates on a wide range of essential items, automobiles, agricultural inputs, and electronic appliances.

The 56th GST Council meeting decided to rationalise GST rates into two slabs: 5 per cent and 18 per cent by merging the previous 12 per cent and 28 per cent rates.

On the essential items front, products of daily household use will now cost less. Items such as hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet soap bars, toothbrushes, and shaving cream, which previously attracted an 18 per cent GST, will now fall under the 5 per cent bracket.

Furthermore, Sitharaman announced a complete removal of GST on individual health and life insurance.

The reforms also bring significant benefits to farmers and the agricultural sector. Tractor tyres and parts, which were earlier taxed at 18 per cent GST, will now be taxed at just 5 per cent. Tractors themselves will see their rate reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent.

(Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by FPJ’s editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/congress-considered-impossible-to-implement-gst-during-their-time-says-finance-minister-nirmala-sitharaman