According to traders, gulal has become more expensive by 30-40%, resulting in a dip of almost 30% in colour sales during Holi season. Before GST, VAT was being levied at 5%. Now GST is being levied at 18%. Before GST, the wholesale price for 100 grams of packaged gulal used to be Rs 10. The same package now costs Rs 12-14 after the taxes were increased. This has resulted in problems for traders as gulal sales are seeing a dip this year.