Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Association of Electric Dealers (AED), Jammu today demanded roll back of proposed hike in GST rates on energy saving LEDs, water pumps and on solar water heater system.
The demand was raised during a meeting of the executive body of the Association. During the meeting, all the members discussed in detail the proposed hike in GST from 12 % to 18 % on LEDs and water pumps and 5 % to 12 % on solar water heater system.
The speakers said the trend of using the LEDs instead of bulbs was successfully made popular by providing huge subsidies doled out by the Government and we cannot deny that LEDs have helped electrification of rural India in bringing down the load on infrastructure.
“All this was made possible by a supportive environment created by all stakeholders including manufacturers who provided LEDs at cost effective rates with warranties from one to two years,” they said and added that the decision of GST Council regarding proposed hike in GST rates of LEDs, water pumps and solar water heater system is arbitrary and not in favour of consumers.
AED members said any change in GST would lead to higher cost to consumers which they presumed should have been avoided as of now. They appealed Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to look into the matter sympathetically and issue instructions to the GST Council to reconsider and roll back the proposed hike.
Those present in the meeting were Dinesh Gupta (president), Ravi Gupta (vice-president), Atul Sharma (general secretary), Pritam Rohmetra (secretary), Vishal Mahajan (treasurer) and Kanwal Jeet Singh (patron).
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