In a major relief for farmers and households ahead of the festive season, the GST Council, chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, approved sweeping tax cuts on dairy products, fertilisers, biopesticides, and agricultural equipment at its 56th meeting on Wednesday.

Among the key decisions, Ultra High Temperature (UHT) milk and paneer have been made entirely tax-free, with GST rates brought down from 5% to zero, marking a significant boost for the agriculture and dairy sectors.