dry fruit traders threaten strike

Dry fruit traders from the APMC are upset with the state for failing to reduce the Value Added Tax imposed on dry fruits. They have threatened to relocate to other states or wind up their business. HT reports

Dry fruit traders from the APMC are upset with the state for failing to reduce the Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on dry fruits. They have threatened to relocate to other states or wind up their business.

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On March 30 the state had increased VAT on dry fruits from 5 per cent to 12.5 per cent terming it as ‘luxury goods’. Sources said the state wanted to earn extra revenue and had argued that even the Delhi government had imposed the same rate. However, Delhi CM Sheila Dixit had reduced the VAT to 5 per cent in July.

Dinesh Dang, a dry fruit trader said, “We have lost 90 per cent of our business. The state may also lose nearly Rs 20 crore it earns as revenue.”