‘Note ban, GST almost destroyed trade in Kasaragod district’

Kasaragod, Oct 7: The agrarian economy of the Kasaragod district has been severely affected and there has been a visible lull in business volumes.

Buses plying on the bustling eastern belt of the district are largely empty, hitting hard the business volumes while cash transactions have come down drastically as a fallout of demonetisation, said K.R. Balraj, State secretary of the Bakers Association.

Demonetisation has certainly impacted trade volumes as people are hesitant to spend freely, apprehending trouble from Income Tax officials, Mr. Balraj said.

The Goods and Service Tax (GST) regime has added to the confusion of both traders and buyers.

“For instance, the Unniyappam purchased by bakeries from household entrepreneurs and Kudumbasree units attract 18% GST against the 5% tax slab prevailed earlier.”

Mr. Balraj, who had visited New Delhi recently to meet GST officials to seek clarification, said trade volumes could be regained only if the authorities took firm steps to allay the apprehensions of society.