Members of the Wholesale Cloth Dealers Association (WCDA), on Friday, closed their shops till 12 noon in protest against the 12 per cent GST on clothes imposed by the Central Government. The small and big establishments across the State remained closed till 12 noon after that the operators and employees worked wearing black badges.
WCDA Chief, Prakash Arora said that a protest will be organized against the increase in GST on clothes. “The Central Government will increase the GST rate on clothes from 5 per cent to 12 per cent from January 2022, which is being opposed by clothing vendors across the State. With this decision of the Government, clothes will become expensive which is being opposed. During this, traders in Gandhi Chowk protested against the Central Government by putting up a black badge,” he added.
Arora also said that the Government should withdraw the increase in GST. “Even after this, if the Government does not withdraw the hike, then the next strategy will be decided. During this, a memorandum was submitted to the State Finance Minister, Rameshwar Oraon,” he added.
WCDA Vice president, Umashankar Kanodia said that despite the protests, the Central Government is implementing GST, which has also been increased and the protests will continue across the Country. The GST will be implemented from January, he added.
“Earlier, clothes were not under the purview of GST. In the Corona era, where businesses remain closed for months, the Government should give relief to the business world. Despite this, the Government is increasing the GST,” said Kanodia. It is unfair for the Government to increase the GST rate during the Corona period, which is being opposed by the Country's textile, readymade and hosiery garments businessmen and organizations, he added.