Traders to adopt 'Gandhigiri' against VAT

Kanpur, Nov 29 (UNI) Agitating traders will now adopt 'Gandhigiri' to protest the imposition of proposed Value Added Tax (VAT) in Uttar Pradesh.

''The traders will continue their agitation against the VAT with 'Gandhigiri','' UP Udyog Vyapar Pratinidhi Mandal (Shyam Bihari faction) president Shyam Bihari Mishra today said here.

''In the first phase of agitation, the traders would stage a dharna in front of the ruling BSP MLAs houses by tying black strips across their mouth and wearing 'Gandhi' cap'' Mr Mishra informed.

After two hours of protest, the traders would submit a memorandum and urge the MLAs to raise the issue in the state Vidhan Sabha, he added.

''It seems Chief Minister Mayawati has forgotten all her claims, she made during a swearing-in ceremony on May 13, the day she came to power.'' Terming VAT as ''kala kanoon,'' Mr Mishra underlined ''the tax would not only increase the prices of essential commodities, but also boost 'inspector raj' and 'corruption.' ''There is no point in levying the tax, as Goods and Service Tax (GST) will come into force in 2010,'' he maintained.

UNI