Centre positive on cutting GST on tobacco exports from 40% to 28%: Yashwanth Kumar
Distilled Policy Brief
- The Union Government has agreed to reduce the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on unmanufactured tobacco exports from 40% to 28%, offering relief to exporters and tobacco farmers in Andhra Pradesh.
- This policy change is expected to benefit the tobacco sector in Andhra Pradesh, with the Centre also committing to explore alternative incentive mechanisms to safeguard farmers' interests.
- Implementation of the reduced GST rate will require approval from the GST Council, with the Centre and State Governments working together to finalize the necessary procedures and timelines for the policy change.
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the bilateral research and industrial cooperation engagements between India and Germany, consider the following statements: 1. Roundtables held with German research organizations, such as the Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritized key fields including microelectronics, power electronics, and smart manufacturing. 2. Expanding industry-academia innovation networks and collaboration in battery technologies form key components of the enhanced strategic cooperation. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- [A] 1 only
- [B] 2 only
- [C] Both 1 and 2
- [D] Neither 1 nor 2
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
Both statements are correct. High-level roundtables with German research institutes, including Fraunhofer Institutes, focused on microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics. Furthermore, the engagement emphasized strengthening industry-academia innovation networks, science and technology cooperation, and advanced manufacturing capabilities between India and Germany.
🏛️ Historical Twin PYQ Anchor (2021)
Consider the following statements regarding the "National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)": 1. It is implemented by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. 2. Central Pollution Control Board acts as the sole regulatory executive body.