TNTF dismisses as false campaign, claims on VAT

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Chennai, Jan 20 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Traders Federation (TNTF) today dismissed as "false campaign", the state government's claim that prices of commodities have fallen after the introduction of Value Added Tax (VAT) system from January 1.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr T Vellaiyan, President of the Federation, which strongly opposed the introduction of VAT, said contrary to government's claim, prices of all commodities have witnessed a sharp rise.

He said while the prices of cooking oil has risen by Rs 10 per kg, prices of soap, dhal and other essential commodities witnessed price hike ranging from Rs one to Rs five.

To step up its campaign against the VAT and allowing Multi-national companies to enter the retail segment in the country, the Federation would organise zonal-level conferences throughout the state from January 30.

The first zonal conference would be held in Vellore on January 30, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi's death anniversary to symbolically drive home the point that the "Gandhian Economy" was facing a threat in the country, he said. This would be followed by a Zonal meet in the city on January 31.

Shops would down their shutters in the respective zones. Covering atleast three districts to enable traders, especially those engaged in retail business to attend the conferences, Mr Vellaiyan said.

The third zonal conference would be held in Kanniyakumari on February 14, fourth in Thanjavur on February 25 and fifth and sixth in Madurai and Salem respectively in March, he said.

He said the Federation would continue to oppose VAT and allowing multi-nationals to enter the retail segment as the two moves would render hundreds and thousands of retail traders jobless and forefeit their livelihood.

Demanding that the government revert back to single point taxation system, Mr Vellaiyan expressed surprise that some of the political leaders said they would welcome VAT, while opposing foreign firms allowed to enter retail segment. These leaders should realise that VAT has been introduced to welcome the foreign firms to enter retail segment in the country, he said.

UNI

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