Punjab slashes VAT on CFLs, grocery items

Chandigarh, Jul 16 (UNI) In a significant move to save electricity and encourage consumers to use Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs), the Punjab government today decided to slash the rate of VAT on Compact Florescent Lamps (CFLs) from 12.5 per cent to just four per cent.

This decision was taken in a meeting of the state Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here.

The decision comes in the wake of the persuasion of PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry during its recent meeting with the Chief Minister to reduce the rate of VAT on CFLs to save energy.

The Cabinet also approved to reducing the rate of VAT on 'mentha' oil from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent in order to promote this crop in the state.

Likewise, the rate of VAT on 'karyana' (grocery) items like hing, khaskhas, magaz of all kinds, singhara, darau kuttu, gond katira, kamarkas, chasku, anardana, amla, ampapad, amb kutra, isubgol, guggal, hallon, shikakai, sabudana, shora, soya, nishadar, fatkari, mushkapur, methi patta and gari burada had also been reduced from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent.

The Cabinet also approved the reduction of VAT on 'Desi Ghee' and sweetened flavoured milk from 12.5 per cent to 4 per cent to boost the dairy industry in the state.

UNI HS AM KN1603