N Uttam Kumar Reddy to fight for GST exemption on textiles

Hyderabad: Telangana Congress leaders, led by TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Friday came down heavily against forcible imposition of GST on some sectors. 

Stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s slogan of “Sab ka Vikas” has now become “Sab ka Sarvanash”, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said that he would request AICC vice-president Rahul Gandhi to raise the issue of exempting the textile sector from GST in Parliament. 

Earlier, textile traders submitted a memorandum to the TPCC president at Gandhi Bhavan. 

Addressing the traders Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy demanded the Centre exempt textile sector from GST. 

He said that the state Congress will support the agitation of the small textile traders against GST to the hilt. 

Incidentally, Mr Uttam Kumar Reddy said the UPA’s Presidential candidate Meira Kumar will be visiting Hyderabad on July 3 and said that the party would request the MIM to extend support to Ms Kumar in the presidential election. 

Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the TS Assembly K. Jana Reddy said that GST will become a burden for farmers. 

Elsewhere, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Mohd. Ali Shabbir said with GST, the textile and granite industries will be closed.  He said the 28 per cent GST on beedi industry that sustains about 10 lakh families will result in as many people losing their livelihood. 

MLA T Jeevan Reddy demanded to know that when 28 per cent GST was being imposed on the beedi industry, why was the Centre not bringing petrol and liquor under the GST.