Yash Goyal
Jaipur, March 28
Continuous snowfall in higher reaches of J&K and Himachal Pradesh though extended the intense cold weather conditions in northern states this year, but the world-famous Jaipuri razai — a hand-made quilt existing for around three centuries in Rajasthan — is now losing warmth as its sales have declined by 20-25% since the GST was imposed in 2017.
Having rich tradition, the antiquity of Jaipuri razai is traced back to over 280 years when a group of Mansuris (the cotton mattresses and quilt-makers) shifted from the Amber Fort area to Jaipur city. Kadar Bux, a young razai maker, had gifted a jewel of razai, weighing only 250 grams of cotton to Maharaja Madho Singh. Maharaja was so impressed that he gave Kadar Bux the title of Patel and also awarded him with two shops located opposite to Sawai Man Singh Hall adjacent to Hawa Mahal.
The secret of this quilt is the carding of the cotton, which is done by labourers' hands so that the quilt remains extra-light and extra-warm. The quilt's quality is based on the type of cloth and cotton used, and also the type of carding and stitching. Cotton, velvet and silk-made Jaipuri razais are usually used during Gulabi Thandi or while using air conditioners. The costly deshi rui (cotton) cultivated in Gulabpura of Bhilwara district is used in the making of Jaipuri razai.
Most of the razai traders in the Chaura Rasta in the walled city can be seen sitting idle waiting for customers. Damodar Lashkari, a major trader, said: “Earlier 1,000 to 1,500 quilts were being stitched and sold every month when there were no taxes (not even VAT). Due to the imposition of GST, the sale of razais has come down in the past three years and now it is very difficult to survive by selling only razais.”
“Over 200 exclusive shops devoted for centuries on this handicraft have lost business by 20-25% after 17% GST (later reduced to 12%) was imposed since 2017. Before the imposition of GST, the turnover of razai market was Rs 30-35 crore, but now it has come down to Rs 20-25 crore with 12% GST slab,” Hariom Lashkari, president, Jaipur Razai Vypar Sangh Samiti, told The Tribune. Besides, the labour component was slashed from Rs 5,000 to Rs 2,500 as per the demand and supply now. Lashkari said they had met Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley to exempt this handicraft from GST, but nothing happened.
“Small traders used to make profit of up to 20% on their sales, but now it is just 8-10% by factoring in inflation. Our survival is at stake and we will be on roads if tax exemption is not given,” Lashkari said.
“There is 5% GST on quilts costing less than Rs 1,000 and 12% on those priced above Rs 1,000. No customer wants to pay 12% GST on quilts costing above Rs 1,000 and the traders have to manipulate bills, resulting in revenue loss to the government. Our association has demanded that either the GST on this handicraft should be abolished or it should be brought down to 5%,” Lashkari urged.
“Online business has also hampered the growth of original razai makers as the fake market is using fibre, poor quality cloth and machine-stitched razais, which are health hazards too,” he said.
from The Tribune https://ift.tt/2Wur7EY
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