GST takes the steam out of branded rice

Millers are rueing that branding of non-basmati rice in the southern States has been effectively wiped out by the levy of GST on branded rice.  Unregistered brands stay outside GST with a clear disclaimer on the packaging, but this means brands lose their individuality. Any rice mill can use any trade name or brand and it has become quite common for a number of rice mills to use the same bran…