Odisha Traders' Associations call-off strike

Odisha traders stopped import of essential food items from other states to protest against imposition of VAT

The Federation of All Odisha Traders' Associations (FAOTA) has called-off its strike after meeting State Finance Minister Pradeep Kumar Amat Saturday evening.

Odisha traders had earlier stopped the import of essential food items from other states to protest against imposition of VAT. They have been demanding withdrawal of five percent Value Addition Tax (VAT) being levied by the Odisha government.

After holding a meeting with association members at the state secretariat in Bhubaneswar last evening, Amat said the matter will be discussed again after the Budget session, which is scheduled to end on May 26th.

Last year too, the traders had reportedly resorted to a five-day strike before calling it off with the government forming a committee to examine their demand to lift VAT.

The state consumes about 67,000 metric tonne of pulses and 12,000 metric tonne of wheat products every month. A large chunk of these consumables is imported from other states.