Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal said that the Kerala state would not apply Goods and Service Tax (GST) on items supplied by Kudumbashree and small retailers against the backdrop of mounting opposition to the application of GST on essential commodities.

Items sold by Kudumbashree and other businesses in loose packets or packages weighing one or two kilogrammes will not be subject to the tax.

"On goods sold by Kudumbashree and small retailers in packs of one or two kg or in loose form, the state would not charge GST. Regardless of whether this causes any complications with the Center, "Balagopal stated yesterday in the Kerala Assembly.

The Finance Minister further said that Pinarayi Vijayan, the chief minister, has written a letter to the centre of government once before. The minister also promised that small business owners would be taken into account so they wouldn't run into any problems.

"We have put up a letter earlier and on Tuesday Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also submitted a letter. We are not going to implement it in a way it will affect the small-scale traders and manufacturers,"  the finance Minster said.

In response to a member's query in the assembly, the finance minister made the remarks.
The State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala has been implementing the Kudumbashree initiative to end poverty and empower women.

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