Archive · 5 Jan 2026
Tobacco Farmers Protest GST Hike
Tobacco farmers in a town called Vinukonda had a big protest on Monday.
They were upset because the government raised the tax on tobacco products a lot, from 50 to 70 percent.
The farmers think this will make it hard for them to sell their crops and could cause them to lose money.
Their leader, Srinivasa Reddy, said the tax increase is bad for farmers and asked the government to change it back.
He also said the government isn't doing enough to stop illegal tobacco imports, which makes things even harder for local farmers.
Tobacco farmers in Vinukonda town protested against a 50 to 70 percent GST hike on tobacco products.
The protest was organized by the All India Farmers’ Federation.
Farmer leader Srinivasa Reddy termed the tax increase a 'curse for tobacco farmers' and demanded its rollback.
Reddy warned that the hike would lead to heavy losses during crop sales and push farmers into financial distress.
He also criticized the Centre for not curbing illegally imported tobacco products, which he said unfairly targets domestic farmers.
- Who
- Tobacco farmers in Vinukonda town
- What
- Protested against the GST hike on tobacco products
- When
- Monday
- Where
- Vinukonda town, Vijayawada
- Why
- To protest the 50 to 70 percent GST hike on tobacco products, which they believe will severely impact their livelihoods
- Location
- Vinukonda town, Vijayawada
- Date
- Monday
- Organizer
- All India Farmers’ Federation
- GST Hike
- 50 to 70 percent
- Farmer Leader
- Srinivasa Reddy