New Delhi: Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab (BJD) Thursday sought details of steps taken by the Union government to protect the livelihood of weavers and to revive the credit system which was affected due to implementation of Goods and Services Tax (GST).
Speaking during the Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Mahtab said, “Prior to implementation of GST, the weavers used to get yarns on credit from the traders. But the credit system has been disrupted due to implementation of GST. The master cooperatives, which used to sell their products only on credit basis, need to make their payments immediately as the tax returns have to be filed every 15 days. As a result, the poor weavers who are not in a position to make the down payments are being forced to quit their occupation.”
Mahtab also asked whether the Centre is considering exemption of the handloom sector, specifically the textile sector, from GST.
Replying to the question posed by the BJD MP, Minister of State for Textiles Ajay Tamta said, “We have held several rounds of meetings with the stakeholders to resolve their problems. The government has also brought a number of schemes to benefit the weavers.”
Mahtab for protection of weavers’ interests
