Will reply via votes: Surat's textile sector to FM

On Tuesday, Jaitley ruled out zero GST rates on fabrics. It is currently 5%

Even as the Rs 50,000-crore textile industry in the diamond city of Surat limps back to life after a month-long stir against the goods and services tax (GST), Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s comments have not gone down well with traders and weavers alike.

Claiming that the central government, through the Ministry of Finance, has done a volte-face, textile traders and weavers maintained the government would have to adhere to their demands, else they would “reply through votes” if things don’t turn around at the GST Council meeting on August 5.

“If the government has the right to tax, we