(Repeating to Delhi)

Ranchi, Apr 16 (UNI) About 15,000 chemists and druggists across Jharkhand will go an indefinite strike from midnight tonight demanding taxation on Maximum Retail Price (MRP) of medicines as applicable in most states which have adopted Value Added Tax (VAT).

The Jharkhand government adopted VAT from April one.

The chemists and druggists, members of the Jharkhand Chemists and Druggists Association (JCDA), had vehemently opposed the multiple point taxation on medicines under the VAT regime.

Though the government had assured the association to consider their demand, the JCDA was of the view that they would be convinced only if a notification was issued in this regard, according to an association office bearer.

Meanwhile, the government had instructed private nursing homes, hospitals and medicine retailers to stock sufficient quantities of medicines to meet any exigency.

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