# GST rates

• From July 18, tax hikes will kick in for over two dozen goods and services, ranging from unbranded food items, curd and buttermilk to low cost hotels, cheques and Maps.
• The Goods and services tax (GST) council decided after a two day meet that concluded on Wednesday.
• Tax rates will be lowered for about half a dozen goods and services, including ropeways and truck rentals where fuel costs are included, and scrapped for items imported by private vendors for use by defence Forces.
• At the meeting, over a dozen states wanted the GST compensation to continue for some more time.

# Delhi government

• Delhi’s bus fleet will have 1950 new buses – 1500 electric and 450 CNG AC – by September 2023.
• The delivery of the buses will begin in August-September this year.
• Giving details of the cabinet decision, Arvind Kejriwal said the government will soon issue tenders to buy 4880 more buses and by December 2024, 11910 buses will be running on Delhi roads.
• The chief minister also announced the cabinet decision to continue providing free rations to the underprivileged residents of the city till September 30.

# ISRO

• The 25 hour countdown for the launch of the Indian space research organization’s second dedicated commercial mission of NewSpace India limited began on Wednesday.
• The PSLV C-53, the 55th flight of ISRO’s workhorse launch vehicle, will carry on board three satellites from Singapore.
• The satellites – DS EO, a Singaporean Earth observation satellite is one of the satellites to be launched from Satish Dhawan space station, Sriharikota.

# Rupee

• The rupee plunged to a new low past 79 against the dollar on persistent demand for the US currency, from oil refiners needing to settle their rising crude oil bills.
• Also foreign portfolio investors who continue to withdraw capital from Indian equity and debt market.
• The rupee depreciated 18 paise to close at 79.03.