M A I N   N E W S

Nationwide bandh against VAT

New Delhi, February 21
The nationwide bandh against the proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) paralysed trade and commerce in several parts of the country today, with traders threatening to go on an indefinite strike unless the new tax regime is made trade-friendly and essential commodities are taken out of its ambit.

Wholesale commodity markets in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai remained closed and retail trade was also hit as traders protested against the “harsh” clauses of VAT. They alleged that prices of essential items would go up under the new tax regime slated from April 1, 2005.

Trading activities came to a grinding halt in major states like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Uttaranchal as wholesalers and retailers chose to keep their shutters down in protest against VAT.

Although the trade bandh was “partial” in states like Delhi, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Jammu & Kashmir, the traders took to the streets and staged demonstrations against the imposition of VAT.

Traders association, led by Confederation of All-India Traders (CAIT), threatened to go on a nationwide indefinite strike if their demands are not met. Most of the states are prepared to implement VAT despite the agitation from traders. — PTI