FAM threatens to stop essential supplies from April 13 if VAT stays

Mumbai, Apr 11 (UNI) The Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM)today organised a meeting of traders from all over the state at Navi Mumbai to protest against the levy of Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential commodities.

About 1,500 traders from across the state attended the meeting and urged the State government to honour its committment and issue a notification exempting VAT on essential commodities.

They pointed out that neighbouring states like Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka do not levy VAT on essential commodities.

FAM President Mohan Gurnani said that the government should maintain a status quo as far as taxation was concerned.

He warned that FAM will direct all its members and traders to not sell fresh commodities from April 13 if the government does not issue a notification to this effect. The moufousil mandis have also been told to stop auction of goods from April and clear their stocks from the godowns by April18 and observe total bandh from the next day.

Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture senior president Eknath Thakur, who was present at the meeting pledged his support to the movement.

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