IndiaThe Federation of Tamil Nadu Rice Mill Owners and Paddy Rice Federation has called on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to advocate for a GST waiver on rice during the upcoming 57th GST Council meeting. They argue that the current 5% GST on rice packs under 26 kg disproportionately affects low-income consumers, particularly daily wage laborers. The federation highlights that pre-GST states like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh imposed lower taxes on rice, and the new GST structure has contributed to rising rice prices. They note that while rice prices typically decline annually due to increased farmer support prices and rising input costs, certain premium varieties sourced from other states have driven up prices. The federation also urges the state government to avoid collecting a 1% marketing fee on paddy from outside Tamil Nadu, as those fees are already collected by the originating states.
Bias read (Center): The article presents the concerns of the rice federation regarding GST implications on rice prices and consumer impact without overtly endorsing or criticizing any political stance. It provides balanced information about the economic factors influencing rice prices and the potential benefits of aGST
