GST Council Cuts Rates to Ease Costs for Housing and MSMEs

12 Sep 2025 CW Team

Under the new rates, marble and travertine blocks, as well as granite blocks, will now attract a GST rate of 5 per cent, down from the earlier 12 per cent. This reduction will benefit the housing sector, as marble and granite are widely used in construction. These materials are predominantly extracted in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Additionally, the reduction in GST rates on sand lime bricks and stone inlay work from 12 per cent to 5 per cent will lower the construction cost of affordable housing, particularly in rural areas.

The GST rates on aluminium milk cans, as well as table, kitchen and other household articles made of copper or aluminium, will also be reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. As these utensils, milk cans and household items are everyday essentials, the lower tax rate is expected to increase demand by reducing retail prices. This will help households save money while encouraging the use of healthier and more durable alternatives to plastic. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in producing such items will also benefit from increased demand and expanded markets.

Furthermore, GST rates on brass kerosene pressure stoves have been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. This move will support rural and low-income families by making basic cooking tools more affordable, ensuring wider energy access.

GST rates for handicrafts made of brass, copper or copper alloys electroplated with nickel or silver, as well as aluminium handicrafts, are being lowered from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. As most of these products are manufactured by artisans and small enterprises, the reduced rates will enhance their competitiveness and expand their customer base. Since handicraft art ware represents India’s cultural heritage, the tax cuts will further promote Indian culture and the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

With regard to services linked to the Ministry of Mines, the GST rate for the supply of multimodal transport of goods within India is being reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent (with restricted input tax credit). This will benefit the mining and mineral industry, particularly the iron ore sector, which involves long-distance transport.

The 56th meeting of the GST Council, held in New Delhi under the chairpersonship of Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, made recommendations for changes in GST rates aimed at providing relief to individuals, the common man, the aspirational middle class, and facilitating trade under GST. The new rates and slabs for items linked to the mining sector are expected to have a positive impact on the housing industry and small-scale enterprises.Under the new rates, marble and travertine blocks, as well as granite blocks, will now attract a GST rate of 5 per cent, down from the earlier 12 per cent. This reduction will benefit the housing sector, as marble and granite are widely used in construction. These materials are predominantly extracted in states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat and Karnataka.Additionally, the reduction in GST rates on sand lime bricks and stone inlay work from 12 per cent to 5 per cent will lower the construction cost of affordable housing, particularly in rural areas.The GST rates on aluminium milk cans, as well as table, kitchen and other household articles made of copper or aluminium, will also be reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. As these utensils, milk cans and household items are everyday essentials, the lower tax rate is expected to increase demand by reducing retail prices. This will help households save money while encouraging the use of healthier and more durable alternatives to plastic. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) involved in producing such items will also benefit from increased demand and expanded markets.Furthermore, GST rates on brass kerosene pressure stoves have been reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. This move will support rural and low-income families by making basic cooking tools more affordable, ensuring wider energy access.GST rates for handicrafts made of brass, copper or copper alloys electroplated with nickel or silver, as well as aluminium handicrafts, are being lowered from 12 per cent to 5 per cent. As most of these products are manufactured by artisans and small enterprises, the reduced rates will enhance their competitiveness and expand their customer base. Since handicraft art ware represents India’s cultural heritage, the tax cuts will further promote Indian culture and the ‘Make in India’ initiative.With regard to services linked to the Ministry of Mines, the GST rate for the supply of multimodal transport of goods within India is being reduced from 12 per cent to 5 per cent (with restricted input tax credit). This will benefit the mining and mineral industry, particularly the iron ore sector, which involves long-distance transport.

Infrastructure Energy

05 Jun 2026

India Adds Record 44.61 GW Solar Capacity in FY2026

India’s solar sector reached a milestone in FY2026, with cumulative installed capacity crossing 150 GW and annual additions hitting a record 44.61 GW, exceeding the government target of 34 GW and nearly doubling FY2025’s 23.83 GW. Distributed Renewable Energy contributed 16.3 GW, while PPA and C&I segments accounted for 34 per cent and 30 per cent, respectively.India has risen from 9th globally in 2015 to 3rd in cumulative solar capacity by 2025 and is set to become the world’s second-largest solar market in annual installations in 2026. Seven states, led by Rajasthan and Gujarat, ac..

Real Estate

05 Jun 2026

Abhee Ventures unveils Scottish-themed 45-acre township in Bengaluru

Abhee Ventures, a leading South Indian real estate developer, has announced “Codename New Dimension,” a 45-acre Scottish-themed residential township at Gunjur on Whitefield–Sarjapur Road, Bengaluru. Strategically located between Whitefield and Sarjapur Road, Gunjur benefits from strong connectivity to the Outer Ring Road IT corridor, ITPL, EPIP, the upcoming Dommasandra Metro Station, and the proposed SWIFT City and Peripheral Ring Road.The township, designed in collaboration with London-based UHA London and India’s RSP Architects, offers low-density living with 85 per cent open spaces..

Infrastructure Urban

05 Jun 2026

Hindalco unveils Eternia experience centre for high-performance aluminium windows

Hindalco Industries, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, has launched its Eternia experience centre in Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi, highlighting its high-performance aluminium window systems designed for India’s evolving construction sector. The company is also expanding its manufacturing footprint in North India with a new Bilaspur facility.Eternia has emerged as one of the fastest-growing brands in system aluminium windows, registering nearly 65 per cent CAGR over the last three years. With a nationwide network of 170+ channel partners across 100+ cities, the brand serves homeowners..