The Goods and Services Tax or GST Council has fixed a uniform tax rate of 28 per cent on both state-run and private lottery. It also decided to rationalise the GST rate on woven and non-woven bags to 18 per cent. The decisions were taken at the 38th meeting of the Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi yesterday. Briefing reporters after the meeting Revenue Secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey said the rates on the lottery and woven and non-woven bags will be effective from the 1st of March next year. It was for the first time that the GST Council resorted to voting to decide on an issue as it fixed a uniform tax rate on both state and private lotteries. The GST Council also decided to exempt upfront amount payable for long term lease of industrial and financial infrastructure plots by an entity having 20 per cent or more ownership of Central or State Government. The council also approved various amendments to laws which will be introduced in Union Budget 2020.
