Ghee, butter, ice cream to get cheaper from September 22; No change in milk, curd prices
Bengaluru: Starting Monday, September 22, the prices of several dairy products, including ghee, butter, cheese, and ice cream. will become cheaper, following a reduction in GST rates announced by the Union government. However, the prices of milk and curd will remain unchanged.
Officials from the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) met on Friday to assess the impact of the revised tax structure and explore ways to pass on the benefit to consumers.
“The 12% GST on items like ghee, cheese and savouries will be reduced to 5% and ice creams, muffins, cakes, cookies and chocolates that earlier had 18% GST will now attract 5%,” The New Indian Express quoted KMF Managing Director B. Shivaswamy as saying.
There will be no revision in milk and curd prices, as milk continues to be GST-free, and curd retains its 5% GST rate. Shivaswamy clarified that this will not affect farmers, since procurement charges remain unchanged. “The milk prices were earlier increased by Rs 4 per litre. There will be no revision in the near future,” he added.
The rate of ultra high temperature milk (packaged in pouches like Goodlife), however, has been reduced as GST will come down from 5% to zero.
The official also noted that some confusion regarding the GST on curd had arisen but was clarified. “The matter was also discussed with the Union ministry before deciding not to change the cost of curds,” the official added.
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High-level inquiry committee set up to probe fire in Rajdhani Express: Railway Board
New Delhi (PTI): The West Central Railway Zone has constituted a high administrative grade-level inquiry committee to investigate the fire on the Thiruvananthapuram Central-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express on Sunday.
The fire erupted at 5.15 am in the B-1 passenger coach of the train between Vikramgarh Alot and Lunirichha stations under the Kota Railway division, one-and-a-half hours after it left the Ratlam Junction in Madhya Pradesh, according to an official. The fire also damaged the luggage brake and generator car behind the coach.
"The committee has been nominated by the general manager of West Central Railway (WCR). It comprises senior officers from the West Central Railway, Integral Coach Factory in Chennai, and RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation)," the Railway Board said in a press note.
"Principal chief safety officer, WCR, has been appointed as the convener of the committee," it said, also mentioning other committee members such as principal chief electrical engineer, principal chief mechanical engineer, principal chief security officer from the WCR zone, and principal chief mechanical engineer from the Integrated Coach Factory, among others.
As per the provisions of the Accident Manual, the committee has been directed to complete the inquiry within the stipulated timeframe.
The Board stated that the committee will conduct a detailed examination of the causes of the incident, technical aspects and safety parameters so as to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
"Indian Railways remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of passengers and is taking all necessary measures in this regard," it added.
