Karnataka chief-minister Siddaramaiah has appealed to the Centre to consider reducing the GST on handicraft products.

A huge protest is on in Karnataka as handicraft workers have been pressing hard for reduction of Goods & Services Tax (GST), a uniform tax regime which took effect across the country w.e.f. the midnight of 30th June this year.  GST has been levied under four different slabs of 5%, 12%, 18% and 28% on all products and services thus brining everything product/service in the country under a uniform tax regime.

Gandhian and noted stage-artiste Prasanna has been on a fast-unto-death protest for more than the past week pressing for exemption from GST for handicraft products. Prasanna’s fast protest and his deteriorating health condition have made the situation tense across the State. Popular celebrities including multiple national award-winning actor Prakash Raj have expressed their support to Prasanna.

In his letter addressed to Union Home Minister Arun Jaitly, Siddaramaiah said “I request you to kindly consider reducing the GST on handicraft products during the upcoming monthly meeting of the GST Council. The livelihood of thousands of artisans across the State and elsewhere has been severely affected by the steep GST levied on their products,” and appealed to the Centre for speedy action on this count.