The all-powerful GST Council in its 34th meeting to be held on Tuesday is expected to take up various issues, including the implementation of lower GST rates for real estate.

The meeting is likely to deliberate only the transition provision and related issues for the implementation of lower GST rates for the real estate sector, sources said. No issues related to rate is in the agenda as the model code of conduct is in force, the sources added.

In the previous meeting on February 24, the high-powered GST Council slashed tax rates for under-construction flats to 5 per cent and affordable homes to 1 per cent, effective from April 1.

The council is expected to give its nod on new rules on how far builders can make use of credit for taxes paid on raw materials and services in settling their final tax liability as the real estate sector moves to a new tax regime from April 1, sources said.

Currently, GST is levied at 12 per cent with input tax credit (ITC) on payments made for under-construction property or ready-to-move-in flats where completion certificate is not issued at the time of sale. For affordable housing units, the existing tax rate is 8 per cent.

The new rules are expected to specify the circumstances under which sale transactions initiated in the current tax regime but concluded after April 1 will be eligible for ITC on taxes paid on raw materials and services.

GST collections in February dropped to Rs 97,247 crore from Rs 1.02 lakh crore in the previous month.

Of this, Central GST was Rs 17,626 crore, State GST (SGST) stood at Rs 24,192 crore, Integrated GST Rs 46,953 crore and cess was Rs 8,476 crore.