Around 61 per cent of Indians are against Centre's decision to hike Goods and Services GST rate on apparel and footwear to 12 per cent from 5 per cent, according to a survey on Friday.
According to the LocalCircles survey, 29 per cent of citizens agree with the GST rate hike, while 10 per cent did not have an opinion. The majority of 61 per cent of the population said they ''n't against the government's proposal.
The survey received 9,268 responses from citizens in 311 districts of India. 67 per cent of the respondents were men, while 33 per cent were women.
One of the main issues that people are talking about is the high inflation, prices of vegetables and FMCG essential goods that people buy. LocalCircles said if GST rates are increased on clothing and footwear it will put a strain on the household budgets.
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs CBIC had raised the GST rate from January 2022 to 12 per cent from 5 per cent on fabrics and apparel. The GST on clothing of any value has been increased to 12 per cent. GST was 5 percent for sale value up to Rs 1,000 per piece earlier in the day.
The industry body said the changes will increase prices of all fabrics and garments. The GST Council's recommendation was the basis for the hike.
A prominent hosiery manufacturers association has sought to defer its deferment due to concerns over the Centre's GST rates notification for several apparel items from January 1st, saying it will affect the common man and those in the MSME sector.
The proposed change is going to increase the prices of apparel now costing less than 1,000, officials of the Federation of Hosiery Manufacturers Association of India FOHMA said.
The CMAI, Clothing Manufacturers Association of India or CMAI expressed deep disappointment over the GST rate hike.
CMAI, along with associations and trade bodies from all over India, has vigorously represented to the government and GST Council not to implement this change, and it is extremely disappointing that the Council has not heeded their plea, Rajesh Masand, president of the CMAI, said in the statement.