The Congress party has criticised the Centre’s decision to defer the decision to hike the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on textiles from the existing 5% to 12% on Friday. The Congress said that the move would be short-lived and will be revoked post the counting of votes in the Assembly elections.
The GST Council on Friday decided to defer the tax rate hike on textiles from 5% to 12%. The new GST rate on textiles was scheduled to be implemented from January 1, 2022.
Congress national spokesperson Gourav Vallabh said in in Dehradun: “The first commodity is clothes, readymade apparel that had the GST of 5% has been increased to 12%. When the finance ministers of our states objected to the move, then the decision has been deferred till February 28. It is only until the counting of votes in the upcoming Assembly elections.” “The GST has been increased on footwear from 5% to 12%. The increase is applicable on footwear worth lesser than Rs 1,000. The third is Fast Moving Consumer Goods according to which the process of oil, shampoo, soaps etc will increase by 10%.”