Traders in the state are upset over the central government decision to carry out a hike in GST over garments (ready-made garments) and footwears from 5% to 12%. A campaign on social media has been launched today by Md Sohrab, former president of Purana Bazar Chamber of commerce tagging @PMOIndia and union finance minister, Nirmala Sitharaman @nsitharaman.

The Giridih Chamber of Commerce led by its president, Nirmal Jhunjhunwala, Santhal Pargana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, led by regional President, Alok Mallik and Bokaro Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by president Sanjay Baid have also supported the campaign of Sohrab.

Talking to the Telegraph Online today, Sohrab who is also the member of Naujawan Committee, Purana Bazar, said, “The move to carry out hike of 7% of GST on essential commodity like cloth to be made effective from January 1, 2022 is uncalled for at a time when the common people are struggling hard to survive due to the impact of pandemic-induced lockdown leading to job losses, salary cuts, price rises.”

Sohrab further said, “Traders across the country are protesting against the hike and the central government while implementing the GST earlier had assured that it would gradually reduce the GST on essential commodities but instead just the opposite is happening as the government has decided to increase the GST on clothes and footwears, both of which are essential items.”

Nirmal Jhunjhunwala, President of Giridih Chamber of Commerce, said, “At a time when the traders are bearing the brunt of economic slowdown and there has been a decrease in purchasing power of the common man, it will further act as a deterrent against the sale of garments and would also promote online trade which has already adversely impacted the garment trade.”

Sanjay Baid, President of Bokaro Chamber of Commerce, while opposing the government decision to carry out hike of 7% of GST on clothes and footwears said, “We all know that Roti, Kapda and Makan are necessary for the common man but though the government is providing dwellings under the PM Awas Yojna scheme and also distributing free food grains but the Kapda will soon be unaffordable by the common people following the hike in GST as 12% GDP will make the garments costlier.

Alok Mallik, Regional President of Santhal Pargana Chamber of Commerce and Industry said, “The government should immediately reconsider its decision taken through the GST council to increase the GST on clothes and footwear as it would negatively impact the growth of trade and will deprive the common people of clothes which is an essential commodity.”