Drug traders decide to go on indefinite strike in Jharkhand

Ranchi, Apr 3 (UNI) About 15,000 drug traders across Jharkhand have decided to go on an indefinite strike from April 17 in protest against application of Value Added Tax (VAT) on multiple points on drugs instead of imposing it only on the maximum retail price (MRP).

The decision was taken by the Jharkhand Chemists and Druggist Association at an emergency meeting held here recently, its spokesman, said.

Jharkhand had implemented VAT with effect from April first, 2006.

The spokesman said West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Asom, Tripura, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh were charging VAT on MRP.

The JCDA also demanded application of the same because the drug prices should be uniform throughout the country, he added.

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