GST effect: Wholesalers in Navi Mumbai shut shop in protest, demand lower tax

Mumbai city news: Wholesale grain and spices markets in Navi Mumbai stayed closed on Friday, as traders protested against the GST rollout

Wholesale grain and spices markets in Navi Mumbai stayed closed on Friday, as traders protested against the roll out of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on products they said were essential.

Markets stayed shut in protest of the tax. (Bachchan Kumar)

Traders at the APMC market in Vashi had earlier observed a day’s bandh on June 15, after a call for Maharashtra bandh by traders across the state, demanding that essential food items not come under the new single-tax regime.

Friday’s strike was in response to an all-India bandh call by the Bharatiya Udyog Vyapas Mandal against GST, which comes into effect today.

“The government has levied GST on branded grocery and agricultural items. This will create problems for farmers and lead to inflation,” said Gopaal Ahuja, director, Navi Mumbai Merchants’ Chamber.

He said, “The common man will have to pay a higher price for food grains, groceries, spices and dry fruits under the new system.”

Ahuja said the traders want the 5% GST on branded items to be withdrawn. “These items should be completely exempted. Similarly, the 12%-18% tax on dry fruits is also not justified. It should be reduced to 5%.”