Fabric traders stage strike against 5% GST levy

So far, around a million small and medium size units were paying no duty

Cotton fabric traders staged a nationwide token strike on Thursday, protesting the decision to bring the item under the goods and services tax (GST) net. 

A five per cent rate has been levied — around a million small and medium size units were paying no duty so far. Even if these units wish to evade the tax, garment makers would be a check — to claim input credit from the government, garment manufacturers would need GST compliance papers from fabric makers and traders.

“We had a firm belief that items which at present are not taxed (either excise or value-added tax)