GST to be raised on certain products in India

Srinagar, Dec 4,  The government is planning to raise Goods and Services Tax (GST) on selected goods such as cigarettes, tobacco products, and aerated drinks, by introducing a new slab of 35 percent, sources said.
A group of Ministers has proposed a hike in GST on aerated drinks, cigarettes & tobacco to 35%.
The proposed hike from the current highest slab of 28 per cent would help the Centre and states to make up for the loss from rate cuts on other common-use items in a step that would mark the first major restructuring of tax rates under the GST seven years after its rollout, a special rate of 35 per cent could be carved out for demerit goods such as aerated beverages, cigarettes, tobacco and related products.
Reports said that at a meeting, ahead of the GST Council meeting on December 21, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on rate rationalization finalized its report with this recommendation of a special rate, in addition to proposing a slew of rate tweaks for over 148 items including readymade garments.