Kolkata, Aug 22 (KNN) The sweet shop owners are upset with the Central government over 5 per cent Goods & Services Tax (GST). To protest against the rate, the shop owners all large, medium, small and micro had shut their shops on Monday incurring an estimated loss of Rs 100 crore.

The industry in Bengal alone employs around 10 lakh people directly.

Sweet shop owners have also resolved to strengthen the agitation against the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in days to come.

According to a media report, the West Bengal Mistanna Byabasayee Samity has threatened to go on hunger strike from August 24 to 26.

"We need accessories as well. For example, paper (for packaging) and printing presses etc. So you can see many people are dependent on the industry indirectly as well," he said.

Stating that the industry deals with highly perishable items, the shop owners said Bengal sweets are very delicate and have a shelf life of 24 hours.

They said as they were exempted from VAT, the centre should even exclude them from GST considering they are highly perishable.