Assam Pradesh Congress Committee flays Centre for imposing GST on food grains

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) came down heavily on the Central Government against the imposition of a 5 per cent GST on rice, wheat, pulses and other food grains.

In a statement issued to the media today, APCC secretary Gauravv Somani criticized the government's decision and demanded that the Central Government reverse its decision. He said the GST Council should review its decision.

He said that from July 18, GST would apply to food grains. "It will shoot up the prices of rice, jowar, ragi, cereals etc., and it will impact the poor, middle and labour-class people. Due to the inflation, the middle-class and poor people cannot cope with the price rise of food grains that are a staple food for commoners," Somani said.

Somani further said that the Central governments had exempted food grains like rice, wheat, pulses etc., from taxation since 1983, considering that they are staple food. "After GST, a quintal of rice will cost Rs 300 to Rs 400 more. The prices of ragi, pulses, and jowar will also rise," he said. He added, "The Government has already imposed GST on pre-packed labelled curd, buttermilk and lassi, which were outside the GST ambit. These are items of mass consumption sold at local Kirana stores."

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