Bhubaneswar, April 3: The Federation of All Odisha Traders’ Associations (FAOTA) on Saturday agreed to call of its agitation against the five per cent additional Value Addition Tax (VAT) being levied by the Odisha government on essential commodities.
The issue was resolved after a delegation of FAOTA joined a ministerial level panel discussion under the chairmanship of Finance Minister Pradeep Amat here.
“After the Budget Session which ends on May 26, we will sit with its (FAOTA) members and discuss the matter in details. It has agreed to withdraw the ongoing strike from tomorrow,” Finance Minister told newsmen.
The traders’ body said it will officially announce the withdrawal of the strike on Sunday after the general body meeting.
Protesting against five per cent VAT imposed on pulses, wheat and wheat products by the State government, the traders had stopped import of essential commodities including pulses, edible oil, sugar and rice.
