Activists oppose GST on handloom

Theatrepersons and activists of Grama Seva Sangha staged a protest here on Friday against the Goods and Services Tax on handloom products, handicrafts and farm produce. They demanded a zero-tax policy for the products.

Former director of Rangayana Prasanna said that for the first time since Independence, handloom products, handicrafts, and agriculture produce have been brought under the ambit of tax. “Small farmers and artisans would suffer a lot. The growth of the rural manufacturing sector will be hindered. It is very inhuman of the Centre to have imposed tax on earthen pots, khadi products, and leather products. This is a death blow to the cottage industry,” he said.

He said that people in urban areas should not forget their roots. “They should become conscious consumers of products from rural areas to support the people in villages. Thus, they can also check migration of people to cities,” he said.

Former Speaker Krishna, Sangha president C Yathiraj, writers Devanuru Mahadeva and Shivaramu Kadanakuppe, activists Nagaraju, Pa Mallesh, M S Gopinath, Horeyala Doreswamy and G P Basavaraju were present.