EPCH holds consultation with stakeholders on GST

Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) held a meeting with representatives of industry associations and exporters to discuss implications of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on the sector.
EPCH has prepared a petition on behalf of handicrafts exporters to be submitted to the GST Council, it said in a statement.
A similar petition is also being forwarded through various state governments to the Union Ministry of Finance so that the interests of handicrafts sector can be safeguarded, it added.
"A meeting with Union Finance Minister and other senior government officials is likely to be held shortly wherein the petition will be submitted," EPCH said after the consultation meeting held here yesterday.

Members of EPCH have also decided to approach the finance ministers of their respective state governments as they are members of the GST Council.
Exports of handicrafts during the first six months of 2016-17 stood at Rs 13,005 crore, registering a growth of 18.28 per cent over the same period last year.
Exports during 2015-16 were Rs 21,457.91 crore, up 6.85 per cent over the previous fiscal.