MADURAI: The Agrofood Chamber has urged Union Finance Minister Mrs.Nirmala Sitharaman to impress upon the GST Council for exempting all essential food products from the GST purview, whether it has a registered brand name or not. It has also made an appeal that a separate ‘GST Council of Trade’ should be formed with trade representatives from all States and Union Territories under the chairmanship of Union Finance Minister, and this separate council of trade should meet prior to the GST Council meeting to hear the views of trade representatives.
A pre-budget memorandum for the year 2022-23 was submitted online to the Union Finance Minister on 20th January 2022 on behalf of trade and industry, particularly farming and agrofood sector. Mr.S.Rethinavelu, president, Agrofood Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has issued a press release from Madurai today on the various points insisted in the pre-budget memorandum.
“The GST rates should be limited to three only- 5%, 10% and 15%. For sin goods and super luxury cars 18% GST plus cess may be levied. Service sector threshold limit must be increased to Rs.40 lakhs from the present Rs.20 lakhs for the benefit of small service providers,” the press release said. Assesses having an annual turnover of less than Rs.50 crore should be given an option to go for e-invoice.
FARMING AND FOOD SECTOR:
The Agrofood Chamber has insisted to deregulate cereals, pulses and staples from the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to do away with inspector raj licensing and stock holding restrictions which ultimately affected the growers in getting remunerative price which they are entitled to. “This Act was made after getting Independence when there was a shortage of essential food products. Since there is food surplus, there is no need for such an Act,” the Agrofood Chamber has said in its pre-budget memorandum.
Another important demand made was to upgrade Madurai airport as an international airport, enable 24X7 hours flight operations with more international connectivity for the benefit of exporters in southern districts.
Mr.S.Rethinavelu has also insisted on behalf of the Agrofood Chamber that the Union Finance Minister should take steps to expedite Madurai AIIMS hospital work. “PM Mr.Modi had laid the foundation stone for AIIMS in Madurai in January 2019 and the estimated cost of this project is Rs.1,264 crores. Three years over, but construction work has not yet started. Since AIIMS benefit the people of entire Tamil Nadu, the construction should be completed soon,” the press statement added.
