GST HITS HANDLOOM SECTOR IN STATE: MIN

According to Handloom and Textiles Minister Snehangini Chhuria, imposition of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) has adversely affected the handloom sector in Odisha.

The Minister, talking to reporters on the sidelines of a National Handloom Day function held here at the Jayadev Bhawan on Monday, expressed her worry over the issue.

She said that earlier, there was a plan to impose 18-per cent GST on handloom products.

However, after repeated requests by the State Government, the GST Council decided to reduce the GST to 5 per cent. But this tax is still a matter of worry for the weavers.

Keeping the handloom products out of the GST purview would protect the livelihood of weavers and artisans in the State, the Minister maintained.

Earlier, handloom products such as Sambalpuri, Bomkei, Maniabandha, and Tussar saris manufactured by the weavers of the State had been exempted from any tax in a bid to promote their sale and export, she pointed out.

Chhuria informed that in Odisha, the livelihood of over 3.50 lakh weavers and artisans’ families depends on the handloom sector. She appealed for exemption of the GST for this sector as it is in dire straits after July 1.

Source: http://www.dailypioneer.com/state-editions/bhubaneswar/gst-hits-handloom-sector-in-state-min.html