Traders affiliated to SP divided over ways to protest VAT

Lucknow, Jan 22 (UNI) The various traders' organisations affiliated to the main opposition Samajwadi Party (SP) are divided over means to protest Value Added Tax (VAT) regime implemented in Uttar Pradeh from this Year.

The All-India Samajwadi Vyapar Mandal, affiliated to the SP, today attacked another traders' faction, Akhil Bharatiya Udyog Vyapar Mandal led by SP Rajya Sabha member Banwari Lal Kanchal for ''furthering vested political interests instead of fighting for traders' cause.'' Talking to reporters here, All-India Samajwadi Vyapar Mandal national president Radhey Shyam Gupta alleged that Mr Kanchal was making money in the name of traders' agitation against VAT. ''We have to stand united to fight the decision of the Mayawati government to impose VAT,'' he said.

He claimed if the state government failed to take into account the demands of chemists, stationery traders and foodgrain traders by February 10, the wholesale grain markets in the state could resort to an indefinite strike.

Amid opposition from a section of traders' organisations, the Uttar Pradesh government implemented VAT regime from January 1.

With UP deciding to implement VAT, this tax system has now been adopted across the country.

In the absence of the VAT regime, manufacturers and traders were unable to take benefit of Input Tax Credit, resulting into higher cost of goods as compared to other states.

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