GST Council meeting today: Lease rates, refund for exporters on agenda

The GST Council may clarify rates on long-term leases, exempting those of 30 years or more if provided by a state, or if the central government has a stake of at least 20%. If approved, this will benefit manufacturing, realty and hospitality companies, experts said. Several companies had taken the government to court over 18% GST on longterm lease transactions.