Aruna seeks GST exemption on handloom

Hyderabad: Former Minister D K Aruna urged the State government to exert pressure on the Centre to exempt GST on handloom sector even as the handloom traders in the State are on a three-day protest against the new tax.

She expressed concern that the BJP-led NDA regime’s decision to levy tax through GST on the handloom sector which is already in doldrums. Along with some traders of handloom, she met Finance Minister Eatala Rajender on Wednesday at the State Secretariat here.

Aruna urged that the State government should mount pressure on the Centre to exempt Goods and Services Tax (GST) on handloom sector. Later, talking to media persons, the former Minister said the handloom workers and weavers were facing almost ‘life-and-death’ problem in the State due to the policies of the government.

Since GST regime was to have its adverse impact on the production and sale of handloom clothes, the government should not try to levy tax on it, she said. She further opposed the GST plan as it would hamper the interests of the handloom traders, weavers and workers.

Aruna felt that there was no need of such tax on handloom products. GST, to be effective from July 1, would add to the woes of traders and workers in the handloom sector, she said. Aruna extended support to the handloom traders, who are on three day protest. The Centre should focus on resolving the issue and help handloom workers and traders should get relaxed from the new GST regime, she added.