Pulse traders threaten stir from June 1

Bhubaneswar: The Federation of All Odisha Traders’ Association (FAOTA) on Friday said it would intensify its agitation from June 1 if the State Government doesn’t withdraw valued added tax (VAT), fee and local taxes on pulses and take them out from the ambit of sensitive commodities category by then.

Addressing a Press Conference here, FAOTA general secretary Sudhakar Panda said the traders would hold rallies and Rasta Rokos to press their demands. Members of 94 trade organizations would hold agitation across the State, he said.

He said the government had promised to fulfill the demands of the association on May 26. The traders had resorted to strike earlier for the same following which the chief secretary had assured them of action on their demands.

Panda said while as many as 23 States have exempted VAT on pulses, wheat and wheat products, the FAOTA has urged the Odisha Government to impose one per cent entry tax on these commodities instead of VAT. From this, the Government would get Rs 50 crore to compensate the VAT loss, he said.