BY OUR STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI, Nov 29: The Assam Cooperative Bell Metal Utensils Manufacturing Society Ltd and Assam Bell Metal Utensils Manufacturing Artists’ Association have demanded that utensils should be kept outside the GST bracket. Talking to the media at Guwahati Press Club here on Wednesday leaders of both the organizations said that after the imposition of 12% GST on utensils the artists of the state have been facing a harrowing time.“The sale of utensils is decreasing but the cost of making them is increasing. The government should announce one-time pension for utensil artists as well,” one of the leaders said, and added: “Artists from Kolkata and Uttar Pradesh are copying designs from Assam and selling utensils in Assam, affecting the local artists. We want the government conducting an inquiry by Geographical Identification.”