Telangana CM pitches for GST exemption on textile trade

Exemption of textile is needed as majority of poor and middle- class families live on this trade

Cloth merchants associations on Monday requested Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhara Rao to persuade the Centre to exempt textiles from GST since a majority of poor and middle-class families live on this trade. A large delegation representing textile trade bodies, including Telangana Federation of Textiles Associations have met with the chief minister in his camp office.

Once enjoying a complete exemption, textiles trade now attract a 5 per cent tax under GST. The merchants association representatives said the move will adversely affect trade.

Responding to their request, Rao said that there should be an exemption for the textiles under the new tax as well. The state government has already urged the Centre to exempt textiles, granite industry, free two bedroom housing scheme introduced for the weaker sections, drinking and irrigation water schemes, and beedis from GST.

Rao also said the Centre has assured to consider these issues and the same are expected to be addressed in the next GST Council meeting.