Jat quota stir: Affected traders seek tax relief

Traders here today sought tax relief and waiver of electricity bill from the state government in the wake of heavy damage to commercial establishments in the violence-hit district during the Jat quota agitation.

They also asked the government to simplify the process of seeking settlement of damage claims by insurance companies. They have also sought monetary relief to affected small shop owners whose properties were not insured.

"The government should give us relief from payment of value added tax (VAT) for three months in view of property loss during Jat agitation. Our entire inventory has been either lost or stolen during Jat protest," Haryana Pradesh Vyopar Mandal (Rohtak), District President, Gulshan Dang said today.

He demanded that electricity bill of affected shopkeepers and commercial establishments be waived for a period of two months.

He alleged that despite the state government's directions, no insurance claim had been paid so far.

"The process of seeking claims should be simplified so more and more affected people could claim compensation," he said.

He also asked the state government to pay compensation which is 10-15 per cent over and above the actual loss in order to help affected people to reestablish their ventures.

Traders put the number of damaged shops and commercial establishments at more than 600 with an estimated loss of Rs 1,000 crore in Rohtak alone.

The Manohar Lal Khattar-led government had announced that those who suffered property loss during the Jat stir could claim up to 25 per cent as interim relief immediately on the basis of self-assessment of damage.