Irrfan wants zero taxes for artisans

There has been widespread debate about the benefits and drawbacks of India’s new taxation system, the Goods and Services Tax (GST). And it appears actor Irrfan Khan wants the government to make certain changes to the system.

A source says, “Handmade products and producers of natural foods are being taxed heavily by the government. Irrfan wants farmers who produce natural foods and people in the handmade products industries to be exempted from taxes. There has been a slow, new movement called ‘Tax Denial Satyagraha’, wherein handmade industries are asking the government to classify them into the zero tax category.”

The actor has even tweeted to the government about the issue. “Make Naturalfoods #zerotaxed Encourage the farmer to go natural! GST Regime r u listening? #taxdenialsatyagraha @ desiprasanna (sic),” he wrote.

Talking about his stand, Irrfan says, “GST was proposed as a major economic reform in the country after demonetisation. The impact of such heavy taxation on industries such as agriculture, handmade products and handloom textiles isn’t justified. Several organisations are silently protesting. One must realise that this tax reform might forces villagers to move to cities and become unskilled labourers.”

Such heavy taxation on agriculture, handmade products and handloom textiles isn’t justified IRRFAN KHAN, ACTOR

PHOTO: YOGEN SHAH