Shillong, May 29: Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Conrad K. Sangma has been appointed as the Convenor of an inter-state Group of Minsters (GoM) constituted by the Ministry of Finance, Government of India on Saturday, which will look into the demand of concession and exemption of GST on COVID relief materials.

The other members of the 8-member group are, namely, Nitinbhai Patel – Deputy CM of Gujarat, Ajit Pawar – Deputy CM of Maharashtra, Mauvin Godinho – Minister of Transport and Panchayati Raj of Goa, K.N. Balagopal – Minister of Finance of Kerala, Niranjan Pujari – Minister of Finance and Excise of Odisha, T. Harish Rao – Minister of Finance of Telangana, and Suresh Kr. Khanna – Minister of Finance of Uttar Pradesh.

Terms of reference for the GoM

The GoM will examine the need for GST concession or exemption and make recommendations on COVID vaccines, drugs and medicines for COVID treatment, and testing kits for COVID detection; medical grade oxygen, pulse oximeters, hand sanitizers, oxygen therapy equipment such as concentrators, generators and ventilators, PPE kits, N95 masks, surgical masks, temperature checking equipment and any other items required for COVID relief.

The GoM will be assisted by a Committee of officers from the Centre and the States as convened by the GoM.