Dehradun, Oct. 22 -- The recent GST rate rationalisation announced by the Centre is expected to provide a major boost to Uttarakhand's agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing sectors, with significant benefits projected for small farmers, local artisans, and hill-based industries. According to a statement issued by the state government, the reduction of GST rates from 12% to 5% on key local products such as Pahari Toor Dal, Red Rice, and Almora's GI-tagged Lakhori Mirchi will make traditional hill produce more affordable and competitive in organic and health food markets. The move is expected to benefit thousands of small farmers cultivating rain-fed crops across 13 hill districts. Similarly, the GST rate on hotel tariffs up to Rs.7,500 has been reduced from 12% to 5%, offering relief to Uttarakhand's hospitality sector, which employs around 80,000 people. Officials said the measure will make travel more affordable and boost tourism in destinations such as Nainital, Mussoorie, Auli, Chopta, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. In the cottage industry and handicrafts sector, the tax reduction to 5% on Aipan art, Ringal (hill bamboo) craft, and woollen products is expected to help women-led ventures and traditional artisans. Around 10,000 livelihoods are supported by local hand-knitted garment production and nearly half of hill families earn some income from bamboo or Ringal-based crafts, according to a study cited in the report. The reforms also target industrial growth, with GST rates on automobiles cut from 28% to 18%, likely reducing vehicle prices by up to 10% and supporting about 50,000 jobs in the state's automobile belt spanning Pantnagar, Rudrapur, Haridwar, and Kashipur. The medical device manufacturing sector in SIDCUL, employing around 4,000 workers, will also benefit from the reduction in GST on medical devices from 12% to 5%, improving cost efficiency and competitiveness....