Congress MLA D.K. Aruna has requested the State Government to take steps to exempt products made by handloom weavers from the Goods and Services Tax network which is set to become operational from July 1.
Ms. Aruna, who led a delegation of weavers from Gadwal and Alampur areas to Finance Minister Eatala Rajender on Wednesday, expressed concern over the different inputs including the silk yarn that were set to be brought under the purview of the Goods and Services Tax.
The rise in cost of the material would impose undue burden on the weavers who were already suffering for want of assistance from the Government, she said.
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In spite of claims of the State and Central Governments on taking steps for welfare of weaving community, the sector had been brought under the tax net.
Plea to Centre
She wanted the Finance Minister to represent the issue to the Union Government so that weavers were not included under the GST network.
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“This is for the first time handloom sector has been brought under the tax net. The Government should take up the issue at the GST Council meeting scheduled for June 30 ahead of launch of the new tax regime,” she said.