Reduction in GST on government-facilitated religious tours by air

Centre has announced reduction in GST (Goods and Services Tax) on a total of 23 goods and services. Under the new rates, air travel of pilgrims by non-scheduled/charter operations, being facilitated by the government under bilateral arrangements, will attract a lower GST rate of 5 per cent. This would include pilgrimages like Mansarovar Yatra, the Haj, and the Pashupatinath tour. These tours are usually done by chartered and non-scheduled flights, and will now be cheaper under the new GST rates. Earlier, tours through chartered flights attracted 18 per cent GST.