Industrialists protest CGST disparity, detained

Srinagar, Jan 01: Police on Monday detained nearly a dozen of industrialists who were protesting against the disparity by state government for providing Central Goods and Services Tax (CGST) refund to a ‘selected’ section of unit holders.
The Industrialist who assembled under the banner of Federation Commerce of Industries Kashmir(FCIK) said that government under SRO 519, SRO 521 had notified only 282 units for the refund, which they said comprised of mainly outsiders (non-state subjects). “The government has announced to refund 100 percent CGST to these 282 units.58 per cent will be borne by the Central government and 42 per cent by state government from our kitty. Besides, Kashmir’s only 18 industries have been selected for refund, which is a sheer disparity with us, “President FCIK, Mukhtar Yousuf said.
He said these 282 unit have been already availing the central excise benefit refund from the government.
“All these industries belong to the non- residents who have been successfully operating their units in Jammu, Samba and Kuthwa. Kashmir, which possess thousands of industries, has been left high and dry,”Yousuf said.
The president FCIK said that the Kashmir based unit holders deserved such benefits following current situation of industrial sector in the backdrop of conflict.
“During last three decades Kashmir has witnessed over 2000 shutdowns and curfews. We want to know what is pressuring the government to give 42 per cent SGST to these units,” he said.
Yousuf said that the government’s condition for availing SGST after producing input tax records was not a viable option.
“We want that government should give us SGST refund on the basis of bill value,” he said.
Yousuf said that the valley based units mostly comprised of skill labour from outside states.
“Apart from this, we have problems like difficult terrain, electricity issues and frequent unfavorable conditions. We appeal the government to consider the deserving unit holders who have suffered over these years,” he said.
The protesting industrialists later attempted to march towards Lal Chowk but were intercepted by the police and many among them were detained.