The textile industry wants a uniform duty of 5% under the Goods and Services Tax(GST), which is expected to be rolled out from July this year.

The Centre had announced special packages for the apparel sector in June last year and for made-ups (an article manufactured and/or stitched from any type of cloth, other than a garment) in December.

The industry was expecting a special package for powerloom sector to be announced shortly.

“We do not expect any major announcement in the budget,” a spokesperson for the industry said.

Focus on GST

“The government has already announced packages for different segments of the industry. But the focus is on GST,” the spokesperson said. Till the GST is rolled out, “we hope there will be no changes in the optional CENVAT that is implemented now,” said M. Senthil Kumar, Chairman, Southern India Mills’ Association.

Lowest slab

The textile and clothing sector has sought the lowest duty slab of 5% without exemptions for any segment of the value chain, according to industry representatives.

About 60% of the Indian textile industry is cotton-based and 80% of textile and clothing exports are also cotton-based.

Source: The Hindu