Scrap traders go on indefinite strike against GST Dept, allege harassment

Our Correspondent

Fatehgarh Sahib, March 17

The Iron Scrap Traders Association of Mandi Gobindgarh started an indefinite strike against the GST Department today.

All scrap traders, furnance owners, industrialists and others took out a protest march in various markets of the city. Later, they held a sit-in on the GT road near Main Chowk and burnt an effigy of the department.

Addressing dharna, the association president, Bhagwan Das Sharma, said, “Traders purchase scrap and other material from firms in the state, outside and abroad. They supply it to furnaces and mills and pay to suppliers as per bills received through banks. They also confirm on the GST portal that suppliers have filed GSTR-1 return.”

“Traders never knew that firms are bogus as these had licenses issued by the department after verification,” he added. “Traders purchase goods with proper invoices and all documents, including toll charges and photographs of loaded trucks with drivers. They have all other proofs with them and will not pay the GST again. If bogus firms are operating then it is for the GST Department to look into the matter,” he added.

The Steel City Furnace Association president, Bharat Bhushan Tony Jindal, said the association decided to go on strike for 48 hours in support of scrap traders agitation. If the Centre and the Punjab Government did not intervene and stop harassment of traders then all industrialists would also close their businesses and go on a complete strike, he added.