Trade body objects to ‘ calamity cess’ move

Traders on Tuesday opposed the proposal to impose a “calamity cess” on GST, saying that it runs contrary to the principle of “One Nation- One Tax”, and said it “will set a wrong precedent in the country”.

The Confederation of All India Traders ( CAIT), an association of small traders, said any move to levy a cess/ tax in any form would jeopardise the basic spirit of GST. The GST Council had decided last week to set up a seven- member ministerial panel to examine the legality of imposing a new tax on certain goods and services to raise resources for natural calamity- hit states like Kerala.