Protest against e-Trip; industry threatens fast unto death

Industry is up against the e-Trip system, says it will increase their financial burden

Not ready to accept e-Trip implementation, Punjab's industry today held a massive protest in Ludhiana and warned of observing fast unto death from August 1, if the anti-tax evasion measure was not rolled back.

Various trade bodies representing hosiery, textile, yarn, iron and steel and small scale sectors participated in the agitation, flaying the SAD-BJP led state government for "imposing" e-Trip on trade and industry under the garb of curbing tax evasion.

While entire bicycle market in Ludhiana today remained shut down, the yarn dealers went on strike till Saturday in protest against e-Trip, which they described it as "unjustified".

"Today we have held a protest for one day to warn Punjab government not to impose anti-industry laws on trade and industry and we got complete support from across industry verticals against e-Trip," All Industry and Trade Forum Convener Narinder Bhamra said..

"If the state government did not withdraw e-Trip, then we will go on fast unto death from August 1," Bhamra said.

Bhamra said Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal has called a meeting with representatives of trade and industry on July 30 to listen to industry's grievances. "If we find no solution to e-Trip during this meeting, then we will go ahead with our call," Bhamra said.

Industry is up against the e-Trip system, saying it was not possible especially for small and tiny units to comply with it. It said this will increase their financial burden.

Moreover, trade will suffer harassment at the hands of taxmen which will hurt movement of goods within the state, the industry claims.

"There is no security of password in e-Trip system as we fear that it could get leaked and pose serious threat to our business," Federation of Association of Small Scale Industries, President Badish Jindal said.

Meanwhile, Ludhiana Yarn Dealers Association said as many as 150 yarn dealers have stopped trading activity till Saturday in protest against e-Trip system.

"There will be a loss of about Rs 150 crore per day due to our strike," Association President Radhey Sham Ahuja said.

Yesterday, industry representatives held a meeting with senior officials of Punjab Excise and Taxation department, but could not arrive at any conclusion.

Punjab government has brought six commodities - cotton, mustard, plywood, iron & steel  (excluding scrap), yarn and vegetable oil (edible and non-edible)- under e-Trip to check evasion.