Anurag hails extension in tax exemption

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 17

Hailing the decision to extend tax exemption till March 2027 for industries in Himachal Pradesh, MP Anurag Thakur said that the move would aid in promoting manufacturing in the state and allow the industries to seek for refund through Direct Benefit Transfer.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave its approval to the scheme of providing budgetary support under the GST regime for the eligible industrial units in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and northeastern states, including Sikkim, he said in a release issued here today.

Anurag also wrote to Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for increasing the limit to Rs 20 lakh for the benefit of small traders and removal of other additional taxes for the benefit of business community.

He said Himachal being a Special Category State has GST revenue threshold at Rs 10 lakh and under Composition Scheme Rs 50 lakh. In the neighboring states like Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh the limit is Rs 20 lakh and Rs 75 lakh, respectively.

“Traders have expressed their disappointment about the state government not taking up the matter with GST Council. Therefore, I request you to take up this matter before GST council to increase the limit to Rs 20 lakh and Rs 75 lakh under Composition Scheme so that small traders are exempted from paying GST”, he added.

He said that the traders also said that some essential commodities like milk, lentils, jaggery and sugar are being levied 1 per cent market fees. Currently entry tax is being charged at 16 different places of the state.