The Karnataka government has taken up the cause of getting relief to handmade textiles and products under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime.
In a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, “Handmade products of various kinds are produced by millions of artisans and poor rural households in India. Imposition of GST on such products has had an adverse effect on the livelihood of artisans.”
Siddaramaiah’s letter comes after he received a representation from a committee constituted by Gram Seva Sangh, which had mentioned that the imposition of the GST on such products has had an adverse effect on the livelihood of artisans engaged in producing these products.
Chief Minister said, “Livelihood of artisans is at stake and a very critical issue that the GST Council should take note of and decide on a priority basis.”
The next GST Council meet is scheduled for November 9 in Guwahati.
Siddaramaiah’s letter to Jaitley comes even as veteran theatreperson Prasanna’s hunger strike against taxation of handmade products entered its sixth day in Bengaluru.
“I have received a representation from a committee constituted by the Gram Seva Sangh and consisting of noted activists, including Ashis Nandy, Uzramma and Shyam Benegal, seeking exemption of various handmade products sold by producer cooperative societies and their federations,” the Chief Minister wrote.
This representation requires serious and urgent consideration and a positive resolution, he added.
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