India: ‘28% GST on farm implements will ruin potato industry’

Punjab potato growers and dealers apprehend a further setback if the state government goes ahead with its proposal of 28% GST on farm implements used in potato growing industry and have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to reconsider the issue before final implementation of the new tax regime in July. “We are already a sick industry and the proposed 28% GST on farm implements will play havoc with farmers and dealers,” said president of Jalandhar Potato Growers Association (JPGA) Gurraj Singh Nijjar while talking to TOI on Saturday. Though potato dealers are not sure about the exact GST, which will imposed, they apprehend that it could be between 20%-28%. Nijjar said presently there was no VAT or duty on farm machinery, but they apprehend that the government could impose 28% GST on farm implements used for potato cultivation. More