GST's impact on the beedi industry - Seeking a balanced approach

NEW DELHI: The goods and services tax (GST) has deeply impacted the traditional beedi industry, a cornerstone of rural livelihoods in India. Classified under the highest tax slab of 28 per cent since GST's implementation in 2017, beedis now face significant cost pressures, disrupting a sector that sustains over four million workers, most of whom are women in economically vulnerable regions. This h…