<p>The Group of Ministers (GoM) set up to decide on GST relief on Covid essentials - including PPE kits, masks and vaccines - submitted its report on Monday.</p>.<p>The GoM was set up after the GST council meeting on May 28 and was mandated to submit report by June 8.</p>.<p>Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.</p>.<p>The report of the panel of state ministers would be discussed in the next GST council meet, which is expected soon.</p>.<p>The GoM on GST concessions on Covid relief items was mandated to examine whether a GST rate cut or exemption is required for medical grade oxygen, pulse oximeters, hand sanitizers, oxygen therapy equipment like concentrators, ventilators, PPE kits, N-95 and surgical masks and temperature checking equipment.</p>.<p>Besides, the panel would also look into Covid vaccines, drugs, and medicines for treatment and testing kits for coronavirus detection.</p>.<p>The other members of the GoM are Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, finance ministers of Kerala (K N Balagopal), Odisha (Niranjan Pujari), Telangana (T Harish Rao) and UP (Suresh Kr Khanna).</p>.<p>The GST Council on May 28 left taxes on COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies unchanged after the BJP- and Opposition-ruled states sparred over whether the tax cut benefits will reach the common man.</p>.<p>Congress and other Opposition ruled states have been demanding a reduction in taxes but the central government felt the move may not result in tangible gains for people.</p>.<p>Currently, 5 per cent GST is levied on domestically manufactured vaccines, while it is 12 per cent for COVID drugs and oxygen concentrators. </p>
<p>The Group of Ministers (GoM) set up to decide on GST relief on Covid essentials - including PPE kits, masks and vaccines - submitted its report on Monday.</p>.<p>The GoM was set up after the GST council meeting on May 28 and was mandated to submit report by June 8.</p>.<p>Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Monday met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.</p>.<p>The report of the panel of state ministers would be discussed in the next GST council meet, which is expected soon.</p>.<p>The GoM on GST concessions on Covid relief items was mandated to examine whether a GST rate cut or exemption is required for medical grade oxygen, pulse oximeters, hand sanitizers, oxygen therapy equipment like concentrators, ventilators, PPE kits, N-95 and surgical masks and temperature checking equipment.</p>.<p>Besides, the panel would also look into Covid vaccines, drugs, and medicines for treatment and testing kits for coronavirus detection.</p>.<p>The other members of the GoM are Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitinbhai Patel, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Goa Transport Minister Mauvin Godinho, finance ministers of Kerala (K N Balagopal), Odisha (Niranjan Pujari), Telangana (T Harish Rao) and UP (Suresh Kr Khanna).</p>.<p>The GST Council on May 28 left taxes on COVID-19 vaccines and medical supplies unchanged after the BJP- and Opposition-ruled states sparred over whether the tax cut benefits will reach the common man.</p>.<p>Congress and other Opposition ruled states have been demanding a reduction in taxes but the central government felt the move may not result in tangible gains for people.</p>.<p>Currently, 5 per cent GST is levied on domestically manufactured vaccines, while it is 12 per cent for COVID drugs and oxygen concentrators. </p>