UP traders demand slash in VAT

Kanpur, Sep 23 (UNI) Traders of various markets here today staged a dharna against the recent hike in Value Added Tax (VAT) in Uttar Pradesh.

Kirana Merchants Assocation President Naval Khanna said the traders closed down their establishments till 1400 hours on the second day today.

Yesterday, the Kirana (grocery) merchants had not opened their shops the whole day.

He said the state government had proposed to increase VAT on grocery items from four per cent to 12.5 per cent that would cause a suffering to both the consumers and the traders.

Similary, the agitating traders of Latouch road market staged dharna, while wearing black badges. The traders body of BJP also staged dharna at Gandhi statue near Phool Bagh and condemned the government's decision to increase the VAT rates.

UNI AKM JAS GL CS1622