New Delhi, July 24 (TIWN) Criticising the increase in GST on scientific equipment, former finance minister P. Chidambaram on Sunday said government believes that all the scientific knowledge that we need can be gathered by gazing at the sky and re-imagining our past.

The Opposition has hit out at the government for hike in GST rates on household items.  Tax rates have been increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent on products such as printing, writing or drawing ink, knives with cutting blades, spoons, forks, paper knives, pencil sharpeners, and LED lamps.  Five per cent GST will also be charged on hospital rooms above Rs 5,000 per day, although ICU beds have been exempted.