Bhubaneswar: May 29: Pulse traders will intensify their agitation on June 1 if the State Government doesn’t withdraw value added tax (VAT), fee and local taxes on pulses and take them out from the ambit of sensitive commodities category by then. The Federation of All Odisha Traders’ Association (FAOTA) briefed the press people on Friday regarding their demands and future course of action. FAOTA General Secretary Sudhakar Panda said, 94 trade organisations would hold rallies and rasta rokos to press their demands.
Panda said in the press conference, 23 states have already exempted VAT on pulses, wheat and wheat products. FAOTA has suggested the Odisha Government to impose one percent entry tax on these commodities instead of VAT. So that, Government would get Rs 50 cr to compensate the VAT loss, Panda said.
