May 18, 2017- The Goods and Services Council on Thursday fixed tax rates for 1,211 items with a majority of items being kept at fewer than 18 per cent rates. 

 

Sugar, Tea, Coffee (except Instant) and edible oil to fall under 5 per cent slab, while cereals, milk to be part of exempt list under GST.  

 

Tooth paste, hair oil, soaps will be taxed at 18 per cent. 

 

“There is no increase in taxes of the items considered today. In fact, for many of them, taxes have come down,” finance minister Arun Jaitley told the media after the first day of the GST Council meet.