Mangaluru: Former Union Minister M. Veerappa Moily Told Central Government should reduce GST Feather bidi From 28% to 5%. He was addressing a convention of beedi workers organized by Karnataka Coastal Beedi Workers Union and Dakshina Kannada-Udupi Beedi Contractors Association at Kudmul Ranga Rao Town Hall on Sunday. “It is not right on the part of the government to impose 28% GST on the bidi industry. The beedi industry needs to be exempted from GST. Government may levy 5% GST on bidi Congress The leader suggested.
He said that the beedi industry has contributed a lot to the development of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. “We cannot compare other industries with the beedi industry. About 50% of the income from the beedi industry goes to the health expenditure of the beedi workers and their family members. The levying of 28% GST on the beedi industry is causing hardship to the workers,” Moily said.
He suggested that a comprehensive legislation is necessary for the welfare of thousands of beedi workers in the nation. “Thousands of families are dependent on the beedi industries, and they are leading a difficult life. There is a need for a law at the national level for the welfare of those working in the industry.”
Mangaluru MLA and Deputy Leader in Karnataka Legislative Assembly UT Khadar said that a corporation should be set up for the welfare of beedi workers. “A separate corporation will help the beedi workers to avail the benefits of various government schemes through a single window,” he said. Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said that he would make sincere efforts to bring various issues of beedi workers to the notice of the state government. JD(S) state vice president MB Sadashiv, contractor union district president Harish KS, HMS state president Sureshchandra Shetty and Karnataka Coastal Beedi Workers Union president Mohammad Rafi were present.
He said that the beedi industry has contributed a lot to the development of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. “We cannot compare other industries with the beedi industry. About 50% of the income from the beedi industry goes to the health expenditure of the beedi workers and their family members. The levying of 28% GST on the beedi industry is causing hardship to the workers,” Moily said.
He suggested that a comprehensive legislation is necessary for the welfare of thousands of beedi workers in the nation. “Thousands of families are dependent on the beedi industries, and they are leading a difficult life. There is a need for a law at the national level for the welfare of those working in the industry.”
Mangaluru MLA and Deputy Leader in Karnataka Legislative Assembly UT Khadar said that a corporation should be set up for the welfare of beedi workers. “A separate corporation will help the beedi workers to avail the benefits of various government schemes through a single window,” he said. Mangaluru City South MLA D Vedavyas Kamath said that he would make sincere efforts to bring various issues of beedi workers to the notice of the state government. JD(S) state vice president MB Sadashiv, contractor union district president Harish KS, HMS state president Sureshchandra Shetty and Karnataka Coastal Beedi Workers Union president Mohammad Rafi were present.