Meghalaya taxation Minister Zenith Sangma, who will attend the GST meeting of the GST council scheduled to be held in Delhi on Sunday said that currently 12 percent tax is imposed on textiles and Meghalaya, with the support of other northeastern states, will seek exemption.

Sangma said that the Centre can impose tax on specially designed fabrics, but the hand-woven textiles should be exempted from the purview of GST as a large number of people in the North East depend on textiles for their livelihood.

Although a small state, Meghalaya is the homeland of three ancient hill communities, the Khasi, Jaintias and Garos. Weaving is the traditional occupation of Garo women and is currently pursued by almost every family. The Garos also weave shirting, bedcovers, bed sheets, and tablecloths.

The endi silk produced in Meghalaya is famous for its texture and durability. The important center for weaving endi silk is Sonidan village. Besides Sonidan, women in some other villages carry out endi silk weaving.

Moreover, the production of jainsen (typical Meghalaya women’s wear) with local mulberry silk has also been introduced. Silk weaving has generally encouraged through training of local weavers in a number of places, production on commercial lines.

Meghalaya will also seek reduction of tax on products of soft wood as the current tax is 28 percent.