Coimbatore: Scores of weavers gathered here on Thursday to protest against the existing Goods and Tax Services (GST) in the handloom sector. The weavers are demanding that the Centre remove the GST imposed on handloom weaving citing it is tearing the Indian handloom weaving industry.

Weavers claim that the 5 per cent GST on the handloom sector is resulting in losses for weavers forcing them to move away from their traditional craft. Thirumeni, a handloom weaver and a trader speaking to ANI said that the Centre must exempt the handloom sector from GST to protect the rich tradition and save the business.