Kerala Won't Impose GST On Essential Items Sold By Small Stores: Minister
NDTV
Kerala's Finance Minister said state government does not intend to tax items which are sold by organisations like Kudumbashree or in small stores in 1 or 2 kg packets or in loose quantities.
Amid growing protest over the imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on essential commodities, Kerala government on Tuesday said it does not intend to tax items sold by entities like Kudumbashree, or small stores in 1 or 2 kg packets.
State Finance Minister K N Balagopal told the Kerala Assembly that the decision might lead to issues with the central government but the state was not ready to compromise.
"At any rate, in Kerala we don't intend to tax items which are sold by organisations like Kudumbashree or in small stores in 1 or 2 kg packets or in loose quantities. Even if this will lead to issues with the Centre," Mr Balagopal told the Assembly. "We are not ready to compromise on this. We had already said this there." He said the state government has already written to the Centre regarding its stand.
"Yesterday too, the CM wrote to them regarding these things. We don't intend to levy it on small-scale traders and small stores. There can be no argument on this," Mr Balagopal added.
