Keep handmade products free from GST, says Siddaramaiah
The CM said that imposition of GST on such products has had an adverse impact on the livelihood of artisans.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has urged the Centre to exempt handmade products from the ambit of the Goods and Services Tax(GST). In a letter to Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Thursday, Siddaramaiah said: "I am writing this to raise a very critical issue that the GST council should take note of and decide on a priority basis." He said he has received representation from a committee constituted by Gram Seva Sangh, consisting of noted activists including Prof Ashis Nandy, Uzramma and Shyam Benegal, seeking exemption from GST for various handmade items produced and marketed by producer cooperative societies and their federations. Siddaramaiah said that noted theatre activist Prasanna had undertaken a 'satyagraha' and hunger strike against GST on many handmade products for the past few days in Bengaluru.
The CM said that imposition of GST on such products has had an adverse impact on the livelihood of artisans engaged in producing such products, adding the issue raised by the activists needs serious consideration.