Post News Network
Cuttack/Bhubaneswar, April 6: Even as the Orissa Byabasayi Mahasangha has announced a stir from April 9 against the state government’s refusal to reduce VAT on commodities including pulses, Cuttack residents are wary that the situation may lead to the black marketers having a field day.
According to Srimanta Behera, a resident of station bazar, “The strike will lead to shortage of pulses and other essential edible commodities.’’ The state government should consider the demands of the traders and resolve the issue at the earliest, he said.
‘‘Earlier, the railways had slapped a notice on us. We were given some relief by the Orissa High Court but it is temporary. On top of that, the state government, ignoring our longstanding demands, has forced us to support the strike,’’ said Srikant Sahoo, president of Malgodown Traders’ Association.
He urged the state government to keep its promise made December 2014 so that the people of the city are not inconvenienced.
Meanwhile, the state Samajwadi Party (SP) has urged the Chief Minister to consider the demand of wheat and pulse traders to preempt the proposed April 9 shutdown which would affect the common man.
Instead of five per cent VAT (value added tax) on wheat, wheat-based products (suji, maida, bread) and pulses, the trading community has been demanding one per cent entry tax which is prevalent in 20 other states.
The party urged the CM to direct the civil supplies and finance departments to discuss with the traders who have been opposing five per cent VAT on wheat and pulses.
In a release, party state unit president Rabi Behera said, “The traders’ agitation will hit the markets to the detriment of the common man. The traders had resorted to agitation December 9 last year for which black marketers and hoarders got an opportunity to exploit the consumers. The government should intervene in the matter to protect the rights of the consumers.”
