Roll back hike in GST on footwear: Traders

Our Correspondent

Mandi Ahmedgarh, January 1

Office-bearers and activists of various organisations of traders engaged in manufacturing and sale of footwear have demanded rollback of hike in Goods and Services Tax (GST) on shoes with immediate effect.

They have threatened to launch a coordinated stir in case their demand is not accepted and the increase in the GST from 5 per cent to 12 is not withdrawn.

Activists, led by president, Wholesale Shoe Bazaar Akalgarh Market, Ludhiana, Amar Singh Saraon, alleged that the Union Government had arbitrarily decided to hike GST on footwear, which was an essential item for all people, irrespective of gender and age group.

They apprehended that the hike, if implemented, would affect lakhs of residents from lower and middle strata of society, besides small traders, who were engaged in the footwear trade.

Leaders of social and political organisations too have condemned the government’s decision to raise GST on footwear from 5 per cent to 12 per cent.

“The decision of the Goods and Services Tax Council to raise GST on an essential item cannot be termed people-friendly and it should be withdrawn on the pattern of rollback on textiles,” said Jatinder Bhola, former president, Municipal Council, Ahmedgarh.

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