Punjab govt extends date for VAT C-form submission

Ludhiana, Mar 18 (UNI) In a major relief to industry and trade in Punjab, Industries and Commerce minister Manoranjan Kalia today announced the extension of date for submitting of VAT C- Forms from March 31 to June 30.

Mr Kalia who also holds the Local Bodies portfolio, announced that no penalty or interest would be charged on sewerage, water supply and house tax bills in the cities, if these are deposited before March 31.

The minister made these announcement while addressing a gathering of industrialists and traders at a function jointly organised by Ludhiana Spinner's Association and Ludhiana Yarn Dealers Association here.

Referring to the demand of the traders and industrialists, he said in future payment of water and sewerage bills could be made through cheques.

He said the SAD-BJP government was fully aware of the problems of the trade and industry and would shortly convene a high level meeting of the representatives of the two bodies. The Minister said the government would accord top priority to infrastructure development and would give better facilities to the industry to check flight of industrial capital from Punjab.

Referring to the plan of the new government on improving basic amenities, the Minister said the government was committed to provide the best facilities. He announced that a special plan of Rs 760 crore had been formulated for improving the water supply and sewerage facilities in Ludhiana.

Regarding encroachments in urban areas, Mr Kalia said that a state level comprehensive policy would be formulated for this purpose. He however made it clear that all allegations of scams and irregularities in various projects cleared by the previous government would be probed and the guilty would be brought to book.

UNI