The Wet Grinders Manufacturing and Sales Industry which was already reeling under various issues has been further hit after the GST hike with the livelihood of more than 30,000 people in question.
Coimbatore: The Wet Grinders and Accessories Manufacturers' Association staged a protest in Coimbatore near the Coimbatore South Tahsildar's office demanding rollback of the GST hike.
Recently, the GST rate on wet grinders was hiked from 5 percent to 18 percent. The Wet Grinders' Association reportedly urged the Central Government to withdraw the hike repeatedly.
Since there was no action taken in this regard, the Wet Grinders and Accessories Manufacturers' Association staged the protest.
The protest was led by Soundar Kumar, President of Coimbatore Wet Grinders and Accessories Manufacturers' Association.
More than 100 people, including Micro-industries Union Office Bearers, James and Soundarmohan took part in the protest, holding placards in their hands and raising slogans of protest.
Briefing the media following the protest, Soundar Kumar said, "The Central Government in the 47th GST Council Meeting raised the GST rate on the wet grinder. The protest is being held to demand its withdrawal. The Wet Grinders and Accessories Manufacturers' Association is neither opposed to any Government nor belongs to any party. There was a stone problem before the GST hike.
Following this, the prices of raw materials have gone up. While our industry was thus hit hard, we are now affected by the 18 percent GST hike. Moreover, due to the increase in prices, the buyers have also come down. As a result, the livelihood of more than 30,000 workers, including women who depend on this industry has been affected due to the decline in business and production. Therefore, the Central Government should roll back this tax hike."