More than one lakh textile traders in Gujarat have started a three-day strike against imposition of 5 % tax under the soon-to-be-introduced Goods and Services Tax (GST) in Gujarat.
In textile hub Surat, 75,000 traders in 175 wholesale and retail textile markets have remained shut since Saturday, protesting the new tax regime, which the traders fear, would lead to the return of inspector raj and harassment in their business.
Seek clarity
“We want clarity on tax structure and also simplification of the tax returns filing process. As of now, it seems that the filing process is very complex involving multiple forms to be filed every month,” said Tarachand Kasat, convener of the newly formed Surat Textile Traders Sangharsh Samiti.
According to him, all markets in Surat will remain shut till June 29 and subsequently, if the government does not come up with corrective steps, an indefinite strike will be announced.
The traders and those engaged in manufacturing of textiles in Surat and other pockets in Gujarat have been opposing the imposition of tax and the complex GST structure which will come into force from July 1.
