GST hike on bricks could push 3+ crore labourers into unemployment

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GST hike on bricks could push 3+ crore labourers into unemployment
GST hike on bricks could push 3+ crore labourers into unemployment

New Delhi : Mobilized by the call of the All India Brick and Tile Manufacturers Federation (AIBTMF), brick kiln owners from across India have announced an indefinite sit-in protest at New Delhi's Ramlila Maidan from Thursday to present their demands. They expressed their displeasure at the staggering GST hike that could push crores of India’s poor into destitution and unemployment, at a press conference held at Delhi's Press Club on Wednesday.

Manufacturers and brick kiln owners mentioned the sit-in protest will be to draw the attention of the government towards solving many problems of the industry, including the reduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), making flexible and simplification of pollution compliance rules.

The industry players said, “Due to the steep increase in GST and the impractical rules for zig-zag kilns, it has become very difficult to operate brick kilns in the current environment. Therefore, the impractical and unreasonable rate hike should be withdrawn by the government.”

AIBTMF patron Anant Nath Singh said in the press conference, “The apathy of the government towards the brick kiln owners is increasing. If the attitude of the government remains like this, then about 3+ crore workers will lose employment in India, for which the government will have to take full responsibility. GST from 1 percent to 6 percent and 5 percent to 12 percent has been imposed on the brick kiln owners, due to which they are facing a lot of loss.Coal is the main fuel for making bricks, but the rise in coal prices has made it difficult to run the kilns. Coal prices are skyrocketing. The government should control the price of coal and provide cheap, good coal at floor rate. Moreover, the black marketing of coal should stop. Along with this, permission should be given to the state governments to carry out mining of brick kilns with JCB machines.”

The National General Secretary of the Federation Omvir Singh Bhati submitted a memorandum regarding their demands. He said, “GST composition scheme should be reintroduced in the sale of bricks. GST has been increased from 1 percent to 6 percent for those for those who don’t avail of input tax credit benefits, and from 5 percent to 12 percent for those who claim. The government must withdraw the impractical and unfair tax rates on brick manufacturers. The brick kiln owners are suffering massively due to increase in GST rates and cost of coal.” He added, “People get cheap housing thanks to the brick kiln industry, but due to such a situation, many people associated with the industry are facing a big livelihood crisis. We demand the removal of unnecessary cess of Rs 400 per tonne imposed on coal. Coal should be made available directly to kiln owners at floor rate.”

AIBTMF Vice President Atul Kumar Singh stated, “The manufacture of bricks on kilns has been stopped due to the indifferent attitude of the government, due to which lakhs of workers are sitting unemployed. Owners and workers are suffering losses, however even after this the government is unperturbed. The labour law should be made simple and practical in the interests of brick-kiln workers in India.” He added that if their demands are not met, the strike will continue.

AIBTMF Secretary Gopi Srivastava said, “The brick kiln industry should be more years to take eco-friendly measures given the huge shortage of workers. The use of coal for making bricks should be allowed. Radioactive substances are found in any product made from fly ash. This causes fatal diseases like asthma, cancer. In such a situation, the notification of mandatory use of bricks made of fly ash should be canceled.”

On the occasion, owners and representatives of the brick kiln industry were present, including Anant Nath Singh, Ombir Singh Bhati, Atul Kumar Singh, Gopi Srivastava, Murari Kumar alias Mannu, Vijay Goel, Ratan Srivastava, Jai Karan Gupta, and Ghanshyam Das Chhavda.

Published : 2022-11-13 21:15:35
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