The fallouts of the new Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime that intended to simplify taxation in India, have become evident weeks after it was imposed on July 1.
Sal Leaf, a minor forest produce (MFP) that forest-dwelling communities can collect and trade, has been taxed 18 per cent. Tribal communities in Odisha whose sustenance depends on collection of Sal leaf and making plates out of them, are directly affected. According to experts working on the issue, around 1.5 million people depend on collection of Sal leaves for sustenance.
Earlier, these plates were exempt from Value Added Tax or exercise tax in the state; only a royalty of Rs 72 per quintal of leaves was to be given to the forest department. This
— source downtoearth.org.in | Ishan Kukreti | 24 Aug 2017