City sports traders seek relief in Budget

City sports traders seek relief in Budget

Our Correspondent

Jalandhar, January 30

After the implementation of the goods and services tax (GST), the demand for sports goods has declined. Traders say the business has suffered a lot and they have not got bulk orders for long.

Most of the sports goods have come under the slab of 18 per cent tax slab post GST, whereas the value added tax (VAT) barely existed in the 6 per cent tax bracket.

City sports industry caters to the 50 per cent of sports items in the country.

Sports dealers in the city are looking for some relief in the budget. “The government should encourage the sports industry by keeping the sports equipment available in the viable tax bracket and reduce the GST rates to 5 or 12 per cent, instead of 18 per cent,” said Harpal, a trader.