The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council has decided to reduce the GST rate on pre-packaged and labelled millet flour having 70 percent millet content to 5 percent from the current 18 percent during the council's meeting on October 9, 2023. However, it has been considered that millet flour sold in loose form is exempted from GST.
Millets' Nutritional Value
The government's major objective in lowering the GST rate on millet flour preparations is to enhance the common citizen's access to these nutritious food items. Millet flour is known for its nutritional value and health benefits which has gained huge popularity among health-conscious consumers in India.
Millets are also an excellent source of nutrients that can lower high blood sugar levels. They are considered the power stations of the nutrients that can manage diabetes and are beneficial for the heart as well.
Millets' Growing Pattern
Due to millets' short growing season, millets can develop from seeds to ready-to-harvest crops in just about 60 - 70 days. This highly beneficial characteristic of the millets is of vital importance in extremely populated regions and if stored properly, millets can keep well for two years or beyond.
The prolonged and easy storability of millets under ordinary conditions has given them the status of Famine Reserve, which makes it more important to a country like India where agriculture suffers from unexpected changes in monsoon.
