GST on safety match production may be cut to 12 pc: Kadambur

Currently, the match manufacturing industry, which’s the predominant job provider in Kovilpatti of Thoothukudi district, and its suburbs, bears the brunt of 18per cent GST.

However, the minister, while addressing the media persons in Thoothukudi, after inaugurating sports events in the district stadium ahead of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s birth anniversary, hoped that the GST would be reduced to 12 per cent in coming days.

Hailing the minister’s announcement, J Devadoss, secretary, South India Match Manufacturers Association, Kovilpatti, said it would be a welcome relief for all manufacturers if the 18 per cent GST is lowered to 12 per cent.

The manufacturers had been waiting for long time now for lowering the GST. As of now, both the sectors of semi-mechanised and fully mechanised production units are under the 18 per cent GST bracket and it’s 5 per cent for the handmade sector.

Further, he said a total of GST council meetings had been convened on 38 occasions so far and the manufacturers waited with great expectations to lower the GST, but all in vain.