To avoid GST, dal and rice traders give up registered trademarks

Until July 1, Chandru Nadar sold toor dal under the “Dove” trademark. Now, he prefers to sell it without a brand name, thanks to the Goods and Services Tax (GST) that levies 5% tax on branded produce. While the pros and cons of the new tax regime are still being debated, traders of two major crops in north Karnataka — toor dal and Sona Masuri rice — are struggling to cope. The sale of the crops un…