Haryana AAP takes on BJP government over GST on textiles
Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Haryana president Dr Sushil Gupta today criticised the BJP government over GST on textiles.
Holding a press conference, he accused the BJP of wanting to destroy trade in the country, leaving the poor struggling for basic needs like food and clothing.
The government, he said, is targeting the textile industry, a basic necessity for people. “If higher taxes are imposed on the textile industry, it will ultimately burden the common man.” He pointed out that previously, there was no tax on textiles or flour in India.
Farmers' demands justified
Farmers want to go to Delhi to remind him (the Prime Minister) of his promise (on the law on MSP)... farmers' demands are justified, and AAP supports them.
-- Dr Sushil Gupta, state AAP president
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, when people were already struggling economically, the BJP government increased GST on textiles from 5 per cent to 12 per cent, hitting small traders and manufacturers adversely. Many had to shut down their businesses and resort to driving taxis or working as labourers. Now, the BJP government is considering to impose up to 28 per cent GST on textiles, which will severely impact production and exports. This will force people to buy textiles from China and Bangladesh, worsening the situation of India's textile industry.”
Dr Gupta stated that under the BJP rule, the country was becoming a consumer hub instead of a manufacturing hub. In the past decade, due to the BJP government's policies, 20 lakh Indians have been forced to leave the country, including over 30,000 high-net-worth entrepreneurs. The government is weakening its own traders, he claimed.
He also criticised the BJP for forgetting the sacrifice of over 750 farmers. He said PM Modi had promised to pass a law guaranteeing MSP (minimum support price) to end the farmers' protests. However, years have passed, and the Prime Minister has yet to address the issue in Parliament, he pointed out.
