Madhurai, July 4 (KNN) The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce has opposed the GST hike on food products. It has urged the state government to not accept the hike on essential item, stating that the price hike has affected the public. 

“The GST Council at its 47th meeting had approved the levy of GST on all retail items, including packaged foods and labelled food products. This would lead to increase in the prices of essential food products, “the chamber said.

Dr N Jegatheesan, president of Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industries said that the 5 per cent GST tax on grinders has been increased to 18 per cent which would further weaken small MSME sectors, whose livelihoods have been already affected by the COVID lockdown.”

“The GST on motor pumps widely used in agriculture was increased from 12 per cent to 18 per cent. Also on items like LED bulbs, knife, pen, ink, blade, etc.The GST on maps, world maps, wall maps, world pellets, used by school and college students has increased from 5 per cent to 12 per cent. With the tax hike, the prices of all goods would increase further and greatly affect the public”, he added.

Jegatheesan further stated that It is very painful that the GST tax has been increased on items used  regularly by the common man, though the GST monthly revenue collection crossed above Rs 1.40 lakh crore for the past 5 months.  (KNN Bureau)