FAM calls token 'bandh' to protest VAT on essential commodities

Mumbai, July 17 (UNI) Agriculture Marketing Committees across the state will observe a day's token ''bandh'' tomorrow to protest the government's proposed move to impose Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential commodities in the state from October 1 this year.

''The VAT committees and Agriculture Market Committees will also submit a charter of demands to the state finance minister, all Members of Parliament and Members of Legistalative Assembly and register their protest against the imposition of VAT,'' Federation of Associations of Maharashtra Honorary General Secretary Muhamad Ali Patel said in a statement issued here today.

According to Mr Patel, the Association was not against the very concept of the VAT, but the manner in which it was being implemented.

The Federation has demanded removal of the Central Sales Tax and implementation of uniform VAT rates throughout the country.

UNI