Trade bodies oppose GST on pre-packed non-branded essential items

Traders and industrial organizations across India have demanded 5% Goods and Services Tax (GST) rollback on pre-packaged non-branded food items. The president of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), Mr. Lalit Gandhi, said they would launch a nationwide agitation if the government did not decide on imposing GST on essential items.

He stated that all the industrial and trader organizations across the country are aligned on this issue. A formal announcement on agitation will be made on 26th July 2022 at the state-level convention of the trader and industrial organizations.

He also stated that imposing GST on essential commodities would further increase inflation. Also, common people, farmers, and small traders would be affected by this decision.

Mr. Gandhi also opposed the ban on single-use plastic, and he demanded a better alternative to it. He demanded the Union government withhold the banning of single-use plastic till March 2023. Also, he demanded that the government hold meetings with traders and industrial organizations to remove the law’s ambiguity.

Mr. Gandhi pointed out that while the Centre has adopted the new policy towards the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC), the state governments have taken the opposite decision. Also, he said that imposing a tax on goods brought to Maharashtra from other states is against natural justice, and APMC doesn’t have the right to levy taxes on businesses outside its area.

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