ndia is considering a goods and services tax (GST) relief package to counter the impact of Covid-19 and help prop up the economy, said people with knowledge of the matter. The package being considered could include a six-month suspension of GST payments for the worst-hit sectors such as restaurants, aviation and hospitality as well as a lower rate for the real estate sector. Other proposals include a switch to a cash-based principle of levying tax from the current invoice-based system and providing GST relief on sales for which payment is not received due to the lockdown by treating those as bad debts. These measures are expected to ease the liquidity pressure on businesses that are strapped for cash, said the people cited above. A final decision on the proposals will be taken by the GST Council, which is the apex decision-making body for the tax. “There is a thinking that for these service sectors, the government should at least spare its...