Morning Digest: GST Council approves two-rate tax slab effective September 22; rain, floods kill dozens across northern States, and more

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, during its 56th meeting, decided to revamp the tax structure into a primarily two-rate system as proposed by the Central government, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced on Wednesday (September 3, 2025). She added that the decisions would come into effect from September 22 for most items. Only tobacco and tobacco-related products will move to the new structure at a date to be specified by the Finance Minister.

Heavy rain and floods continued to batter States in northern India on Wednesday (September 3, 2025), causing severe damage to life and property. In Himachal Pradesh, 11 people died in the past 24 hours, during which rain triggered landslides. In Punjab, the swollen Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers caused widespread devastation, with the State government pegging the death toll in recent rain-related incidents to 37. In Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), two people were killed and hundreds were rescued following a heavy downpour. The Jhelum and Chenab rivers were flowing above the danger mark.