India woke up to a single unified market on July 1st, 2017 with new tax rates, invoicing mechanism and return filing system as GST was rolled out at midnight. The Government of India has since a month before the rollout upto this day has been using print media to communicate the effects and advantages of GST through comparative charts, information boxes and flowcharts. Herein we try to understand the impact that GST will have in regard to these rates:
| PRODUCT NAME: | OLD RATE: | NEW GST RATE: | IMPACT ON THE CONSUMER: |
| WHEAT | 2.5% | 0% | The basic staple food in India consumed by all Indians reducing the household expenses, especially beneficial for lower income strata, increases disposable income. |
| RICE | 2.75% | 0% | Consumed by majority of Indians, a key ingredient of the staple diet, reduces the household budget, increases disposable income. |
| UNBRANDED FLOUR | 3.5% | 0% | Another major consumption item in the Indian food diet reducing the household budget, increases disposable income. |
| CURD,LASSI, BUTTERMILK | 4% | 0% | These previously were attracting a heavy task and are quite essential items in regional food diets and these attracting no taxes will be beneficial. |
| TEA | 6% | 5% | Presumably the most consumed drink in India and a major part of the Indian Culture attracting lower rates under GST will make it more affordable. |
| MILK POWDER | 6% | 5% | Necessary for infants and used as a substitute for fresh milk, this is attracting lower rates under GST, a boost to child health as this being affordable would reduce malnutrition. |
| VEGETABLE EDIBLE OILS | 6% | 5% | Found in every Indian Household, reduced prices would benefit the common man |
| CHILDREN’S PICTURE, DRAWING OR COLOURING BOOKS | 7% | 0% | Education Among Children, Creativity And Initial Interests Among Children Would Be Encouraged. |
| KEROSENE PRESSURE LANTERN | 8% | 5% | Life in the remoter parts and low income households stands to improve as an impact of GST. |
| COAL | 9% | 5% | A major impetus to industry and railways with this deduction in tax rate resulting in major savings due to the total amount of consumption being so huge. |
| X-RAYS FOR MEDICAL USE | 23% | 12% | Medical facilities becoming more affordable with a drastic reduction in rates. |
| DIAGNOSTIC KITS AND REAGENTS | 16% | 12% | Medical facilities more accessible and the costs involved reduce as an impact of GST |
| FIXED SPEED DIESEL ENGINES | 16% | 12% | Of a power not exceeding 15HP, boost to small scale enterprises and indigenously grown industries. |
| FLY ASH BRICKS AND BLOCKS | 16% | 12% | Building gets cheaper as initial costs reduce providing houses to more people than ever. |
| SEWING MACHINE | 16% | 12% | A major living sustenance to small female entrepreneurs in the country as well as encouraging the textile market. |
| LPG STOVE | 21% | 18% | Encourages the initiative to move from earthen stoves to cylinders along with the LPG Subsidy. |
| CEMENT | 29% | 28% | Another major component of the Industrial Sector in India gets a boost. |
