Anti-VAT stir in UP

Traders in Uttar Pradesh will organise anti-VAT protests and demonstrations across the state on Wednesday. The traders are demanding waiver or reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on about 125 items in the state.

The demonstrations would be held at respective district headquarters and later a memorandum for Chief Minister Mayawati would be submitted to the authorities.

Addressing the media here this evening, UP Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal president and Rajya Sabha MP Banwari Lal Kanchal expressed hope that the state government would take cognisance of the demonstrations and accede to the long standing demand of the traders.

He alleged high rates of VAT on these items, including food grain, raw tobacco, diesel, textile, medicine, surgical instrument etc had made it extremely difficult for the traders to survive.

“While, there is no VAT on food grain in Delhi, it is 4 per cent in UP. Similarly, while farm equipment is free from VAT in the country, the VAT stands at 4 per cent here,” he lamented.

Besides, the traders would also protest against “illegal” use of Harijan Act on traders, harassment and extortion by the mobile commercial tax units.

“Almost, 100 traders have been falsely implicated under Harijan Act in the state, which will not be tolerated," he warned.

Kanchal further criticised the state government for the mandatory submission of Form 31 with the commercial tax department within 24 hrs of the delivery of goods coming from outside at their premises.

“Yesterday, we met trade tax commissioner in Lucknow and he has assured us to apprise the CM about our grievances,” he informed.