Business
GST cut on essentials: FMCG leaders hail ‘game-changing’ reform; prices may fall up to 10% – The Times of India
The GST Council’s decision to slash tax rates on everyday essentials and personal-use products ahead of the festive season is expected to revive domestic consumption, lift rural demand, and strengthen growth in the FMCG sector, industry leaders said on Thursday.According to news agency PTI, FMCG companies plan to pass on the benefits to consumers either by increasing grammage or cutting stock-keeping unit (SKU) prices, with analysts estimating price drops of 8–10% depending on brands, translating into 2–3% growth for the industry.
Calling the move “game changing”, Marico MD & CEO Saugata Gupta said, “By making essential consumer products more affordable, especially in the run-up to the festival season, these reforms will play a pivotal role in stimulating economic momentum and building long-term growth in the FMCG sector.”Dabur CEO Mohit Malhotra termed it a “timely and transformative move,” stressing that the cuts will make soaps, shampoos and toothpastes more affordable, while driving demand in rural and semi-urban markets.Godrej Consumer Products CFO Aasif Malbari welcomed the decision, stating the company was committed to passing on benefits to consumers. The All India Consumer Products Distributors’ Federation (AICPDF) said the reduction would improve distributor and retailer liquidity by Rs 4,000–5,000 crore, while boosting rural consumption by an estimated 8–10% in the next two quarters.
Shares of leading FMCG firms surged following the Council’s approval. Britannia, Dabur, HUL, Nestlé and Emami all logged strong gains on the BSE, while consumer durables and cement stocks also rallied. The GST cuts cover a wide range of items, from hair oil, shampoo, toothpaste and soap to food products like butter, dry fruits, ice cream, biscuits and beverages, with rates slashed to 5% from 12% or 18%. Cement will now attract 18% GST instead of 28%.As per PTI, Joy Personal Care Chairman Sunil Agarwal said rural India, already driving FMCG growth for six quarters, will see further demand strength. Industry executives added that retailers are bracing for strong festival sales rebound as companies implement revised prices on existing stock.Grant Thornton Bharat’s Naveen Malpani noted that the cuts could lead to price drops of 8–10% depending on supply chain efficiencies, further stimulating consumption.Industry experts believe the reforms will add 2–3 percentage points to FMCG sector growth, which is currently expanding at 10–12% annually, making the reform a “landmark step” ahead of the festive season.
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Gold is sold at a discount in Dubai due to Middle East conflict disrupting flights. Traders offer up to $30 per ounce less than London prices.
Dubai Gold Selling Cheaper As Iran War Grounds Flights
Gold is being sold at a discount in Dubai as the widening conflict in the Middle East disrupts flights and hampers the movement of bullion from one of the world’s key trading hubs.
According to a Bloomberg report, traders in Dubai are offering discounts of up to $30 per ounce compared to the global benchmark price in London. The unusual price cut comes as shipments remain stranded due to flight disruptions triggered by the escalating conflict involving Iran and Israel.
Dubai is a key global centre for refining and exporting gold to markets across Asia, including India. However, partial airspace restrictions and heightened security risks have slowed the movement of bullion out of the region.
Why Gold Is Being Sold Cheaper
Gold is typically transported in the cargo holds of passenger aircraft. With several flights from the UAE restricted amid regional tensions, traders are struggling to move bullion to international markets.
At the same time, insurance and freight costs have surged, making shipments more expensive and uncertain. Many buyers have therefore stepped back from placing new orders, unwilling to bear high logistics costs without assurance of timely delivery.
To avoid paying prolonged storage and financing costs while shipments remain stuck, some traders are offering gold at discounted prices.
Although transporting bullion by road to airports in neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia or Oman is theoretically possible, logistics firms are reluctant due to the risks and complications of moving high-value cargo across land borders during a conflict.
What It Means For India
India, one of the largest buyers of gold shipped from Dubai, could face short-term supply disruptions if the situation continues.
Renisha Chainani, head of research at Augmont Enterprises Ltd., said several cargo shipments have already been delayed, creating temporary tightness in the availability of physical bullion in India.
However, industry experts as reported by Bloomberg say the immediate impact may remain limited as domestic inventories are currently comfortable after heavy imports earlier this year.
Chirag Sheth, principal consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus, said Bloomberg that India has ample stocks for now, but warned that prolonged disruptions could eventually affect supply if the conflict continues for several months.
Meanwhile, global gold prices have surged this year amid geopolitical uncertainty, with spot gold recently trading above $5,000 per ounce.
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March 08, 2026, 10:03 IST
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Some seven in 10 British adults without a full driving licence say learning to drive is currently unaffordable, according to a survey.
The figure is even higher among younger people, with 76% of 18 to 29-year-olds without a licence saying driving lessons are financially out of reach, the poll for car insurer Prima found.
Overall, 38% said the cost of driving lessons was the biggest deterrent to learning to drive.
Some 32% were put off by the price of buying a car and 15% said the cost of car insurance was the main barrier to learning to drive.
Almost half (45%) said they would consider learning to drive if it became significantly cheaper.
Nick Ielpo, UK country manager at Prima, said: “For a growing number of people, driving is no longer a symbol of freedom – it’s a financial stretch too far.
“Between lessons, buying a car and insuring it, the upfront and ongoing costs are pricing many people out before they even start.”
Find Out Now surveyed 1,134 adults who do not hold a full driving licence between January 21 and 23.
Go Digit General Insurance on Saturday said it has received a demand notice of about Rs 170 crore for short payment of goods and services tax (GST) for nearly five years. The company has received an order copy from the Office of the Commissioner of GST & Central Excise, Chennai South Commissionerate on March 6, confirming GST demand of Rs 154.80 crore levying penalty of Rs 15.48 crore and Interest u/s 50 of CGST Act, 2017 for the period July 2017 to March 2022, the insurer said in a regulatory filing. The company is in the process of evaluating the legal advice on the implications and would file an appeal, it said.
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