Apparel exporters flag GST concerns

Apparel exporters have brought up the problems faced by them post-GST before a parliamentary panel, signalling the “strong likelihood” of a decline in garment shipments from India and the possibility of job losses.

The Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) made a presentation to the Parliamentary Standing Committee (Rajya Sabha) on Commerce chaired by Naresh Gujral earlier this week. The body pressed for early consideration of tax refunds blocked on the purchase of ginned cotton (agricultural inputs such as machinery, seeds, fertilisers, power, diesel and the like) and miscellaneous central or state levies such as power cross subsidy, stamp duty, property tax