Former minister and Apni Party president, Altaf Bukhari, has urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to reject a proposed 28% GST increase on textiles.
As the GST Council meets today in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, led by Minister Sitharaman, Bukhari made a humble request not to approve the GST hike. He warned that such an increase would harm businesses involved in Kashmiri shawls, crewel work, and other traditional textiles, putting many artisans’ livelihoods at risk.
Bukhari reminded everyone that in 2018, the GST Council reduced the tax on handmade carpets and similar items from 12% to 5% to support traditional crafts and artisans. He appealed to the council members to show the same generosity and compassion by rejecting the proposed hike and protecting the livelihoods of artisans.
