Hit by demonetisation, GST, brick kiln owners sit on hunger strike

[Brick Kiln Database - Related News]

It is on the verge of collapse," said Sanjay Goel, spokesperson of Meerut District Brick Manufacturers Association (MDBMA).General secretary of MDBMA, Pawan Mittal said, "The brick kiln workers are less educated and the factories operate from areas where power supply is erratic. Meerut: More than 150 brick kiln owners of the district went on a hunger strike at the Collectorate here on Wednesday fearing closure of the bricklaying facilities after the industry was hit due to demonetization, imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the UP pollution control board’s advisory to upgrade from natural draft technology to induced draft technology. The agitating owners said the facilities which are usually located in rural parts employ a large number of villagers and comes under rural cottage industry category."The industry is not able to absorb the negative impacts of these new policies introduced by the central government one after the other. According to the GST rules, 37 income tax returns have to be filed annually which is a difficult task for us."The MDBMA also urged that the new norms introduced by the UP pollution control board to upgrade their technology will involve an additional investment of Rs 20 lakh.