Agriculture & Agro-Processing Gains
The sugar industry in Maharashtra’s western belt—covering Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, Pune, Solapur, and Ahmednagar—employs over 200,000 workers and supports 50 lakh sugarcane farmers. The GST cut from 12% to 5% on refined sugar will make it 6-7% cheaper at wholesale, lowering production costs for food processing and easing household expenses.
Processed fruit products like juices, jams, and sauces now attract 5% GST, down from 12%. This benefits horticultural hubs like Nagpur (oranges), Nashik (grapes, onions, tomatoes), Jalgaon (bananas), and Konkan (mangoes), supporting 2 lakh food processing workers and enhancing exports.
Fisheries along the Konkan coast, providing livelihoods to over 2 lakh fishermen, will also gain. GST on processed fish and shrimp has been reduced to 5%, improving competitiveness in domestic and international seafood markets.
Textiles, Handlooms & Handicrafts
Maharashtra’s textile hubs—Ichalkaranji, Solapur, Malegaon, and Bhiwandi—employ over 1.1 million workers. GST on yarn and fabrics has dropped from 12% to 5%, reducing costs by ~6-7% and enhancing competitiveness for garments and home textiles.
Traditional crafts like Kolhapuri chappals and leather goods benefit from 5% GST on footwear priced below ₹2,500, helping 45,000 artisans in Kolhapur and Dharavi. Warli paintings and Paithani sarees now face 5% GST on raw inputs, aiding tribal artisans and weaver families, and lowering prices for consumers.
Automotive, Defence & IT Sectors
Maharashtra’s automotive clusters in Pune-Chakan-Talegaon, Aurangabad, and Nashik employ over 5 lakh people. GST cuts from 28% to 18% on vehicles and components, along with cess removal on large cars, can reduce costs by ₹90,000–1 lakh per car, boosting demand.
The defence manufacturing corridor in Nagpur, Pune, Nashik, and Ahmednagar will benefit from 5% GST on armoured vehicles and IGST exemptions on key components, promoting indigenous production under Make in India.
IT and ITES firms in Pune, Mumbai, and Nagpur will gain through GST refunds on intermediary services classified as exports, improving cash flow and global competitiveness for over 1.2 million professionals.
Healthcare, Insurance & Renewable Energy
Medicines now attract 5% GST, down from 12%, reducing household healthcare expenses by 6-7%. Insurance premiums for health and life policies are exempted, making coverage more affordable. For example, a ₹20,000 health insurance premium may save ₹3,600.
Renewable energy devices such as solar panels and water heaters see a 5% GST, ~6-7% cheaper, supporting adoption in Vidarbha and Marathwada and advancing India’s green energy goals.
Tourism & Entertainment
Maharashtra’s hospitality sector, from Mumbai to Konkan and Aurangabad, benefits as hotel GST on stays under ₹7,500 drops from 12% to 5%. A ₹6,000 room now saves ₹420 in taxes per night. The film industry in Mumbai also sees ticket GST on films priced ≤₹100 fall to 5%, boosting accessibility for low-budget and regional cinema.
Conclusion
The 2025 GST reforms create a win-win for Maharashtra, lowering costs for consumers while enhancing producer margins. From agriculture to industry and services, the reforms strengthen employment, competitiveness, and economic growth, ensuring broader benefits for millions across the state.
