Post news network
Cuttack, April 8: Traders at Malgodown here have decided not to join the indefinite stir called by All Orissa Traders’ Association (AOTA) from Thursday demanding abolition of 5 per cent value added tax (VAT) on pulses, wheat and wheat products, though they have extended their support to the traders’ body.
‘‘The traders do not intend to lock horns with the state government in the present scenario. Though we support AOTA’s demand to abolish VAT on pulses, we have unanimously decided not to join the strike in the larger interest of around 800 traders at Malgodown,’’ senior member of Cuttack Chamber of Commerce, Prashant Kumar Patra told newsmen.
Earlier, a meeting at the Chamber of Commerce office here last week decided not to join the strike in view of the ongoing tug of war over encroachment of Railways land by the Malgodown traders. At this crucial juncture the fate of traders remains uncertain, and hence the traders do not want a confrontation with the government, sources said. The sprawling trade centre spread over 25 acres was served notice on by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to vacate the area by March 31 to facilitate the expansion of the infrastructure at the Cuttack railway station. However, the Orissa High Court on March 19 granted an interim stay on the eviction notice served on traders.
As per reports, shops in the Malgodown area have encroached upon 80 percent of Railways land and 20 percent of Ravenshaw University premises. Though their 99-year lease expired in 1985-86, the traders were allowed to continue with their businesses in the larger interest of the people.
Notably, over 30 pulses traders had attended the meeting to discuss lending support to the AOTA call for strike Thursday. “Although we have decided not to join the strike as people from various parts of the state depend on the wholesale market for essential commodities, the government should agree to the demands of AOTA on abolition of VAT on pulses, wheat and wheat products,”
