The National Commission for Women (NCW) shall urge PMO for the concerns of Women Farmers’ in relation to increase in taxes post GST implementation, said by the chairperson Lalitha Kumaramangalam.

“The way GST is framed it needs a re-look for women farmers. The prime minister has recently spoken about doubling farmers’ income but to make that happen we need a reform in our policies. We will raise these concerns with the PMO,” the NCW chairperson said in response to several issues raised by the farmers.

Suneeta Kashyap from Ranikhet pointed out the three-fold increase in tax liabilities for farm producers due to levy of GST. Many others addressed the issue of exclusion from several government schemes due to the lack of land ownership by womens.

“Sales tax on our woollen products has gone up from 0% to 12% and on items such as jam, the tax has gone up from 5% to 12%. While last year we paid Rs 3.8 lakh in taxes, after GST this is likely to increase to Rs 10.87 lakh,” Kashyap said.

“We are self-sustained and do not rely on the government for aid but we also don’t want exorbitant taxes,” added by Lalitha Kumaramangalam.

Also, Tillers attending the meeting brought up a complaint regarding the government insurance scheme such as Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana which does not cater to those who grow millets as a subsistence crop but is meant only for cash crop cultivators, thereby excluding a majority of farmers from its benefits.

Sources –Outlook India

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