The Plywood manufacturing units in Haryana, Punjab, Uttarpradesh, Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Bihar have reported complete shut down today, 14th July, against the imposition of high GST rate of 28% on Plywood and Mandi Tax on Plantation Timber in Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The strike was called by All India Plywood Manufacturers Association and supported by manufacturers Association of Haryana, Punjab, Uttarpradesh, Delhi-NCR, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan and Bihar along with Timber Merchant Association of Yamunanagar and Jagadhari. The Plywood Industry has sought for reduction of GST rate on plywood from 28% to 18% and complete abolishment of Mandi Tax on plantation timber trade, such as that of Eucalyptus and Poplar.
More than 50,000 people comprising of plywood manufacturers, factory workers and Timber merchants took part in the protest in Yamunanagar. AIPMA and HPMA office bearers and members led by Mr. Devender Chawla, President (AIPMA) and Mr. Ajay Maniktala, President (HPMA) met Yamunanagar DC and gave a memorandum of their demand. HPMA and Delhi – NCR PMA have declared to remain on strike till 17th July.
Plywood manufacturers of Uttarpradesh also observed complete Bandh today. Mr. Ashok Agarwal, President of Association along with Mr. V P Agarwal, Mr. Ajay Sardana, Mr. Ashok Goel, Mr. Mohit Agarwal met District Magistrate and gave memorandum of their demand. Delhi-NCR Plywood Manufacturers Association led by Mr. Vikash Khanna (President) and Mr. Manish Kedia ( Vice President) also observed Dharna and gave memorandum to Rohtak DC and MLA. Manufacturers of Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Bihar also supported the strike and shut down their operations today.