Sangli: After all, turmeric has been recognized as an agricultural commodity and turmeric has become GST free. A decision has been taken in the Central and State Taxation Arbitration hearings to repeal the 5 per cent tax on turmeric. The decision has been welcomed by the turmeric traders in Sangli. The turmeric traders are expressing confidence that the decision of tax-free turmeric will bring better days to the Sangli market. (turmeric has become gst free)
Sangli is known as the global market for turmeric. Turmeric has a turnover of over one thousand crores per annum in the Sangli market. Turmeric is in high demand as it is of high quality. In addition, large quantities of turmeric are sold in the Sangli market from Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and other states. However, from 2017, five per cent tax was levied on turmeric.
Against this, the traders had repeatedly demanded the Central and State Governments to abolish the tax on turmeric as it is an agricultural commodity. The NB Patil firm had lodged an appeal in this regard with the Central and State Taxation Arbitration. The matter was heard before Central Assessing Member Ashok Kumar Mehta and State Assessing Member Rajiv Kumar Mittal. In this, the arbitrator has accepted that turmeric is an agricultural commodity and has canceled the five per cent tax levied on turmeric.
However, it has been clarified that the tax will be levied on the further processing of turmeric. The decision was welcomed by the turmeric traders and Sangli Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
