The Hindu : Traders warn of agitation

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 23, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Traders warn of agitation

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MARCH 22 . The Joint Action Council of Chambers of Commerce and Trade Organisations of Kerala has decided to launch an agitation against the State Government's new budgetary proposals.

As part of the stir, the merchants in Ernakulam will observe a one-day strike on Tuesday. This was announced at a press conference by V.M. Liaquat Ali, and P.U. Jose, chairman and general convener respectively of the Action Council.

Mr. Ali said the new proposal for multiple-point tax was outdated and would result in more lengthy procedures. Even small traders would come under the scheme, causing additional problems to trade. The new system would pave way for more official corruption, he said.

He said the organisation had not received any intimation from the Government regarding a proposed meeting with traders on March 25. The Government, as per the budget proposals, would bring 21 items under the two-point tax system, after including them in the Fifith Schedule of the system. The traders have decided not to take any fresh stock of items included in the Fifth Schedule if the demand is not conceded by March 25. These items include mineral water, home appliances, electronic items, food items, readymades, etc. The leaders clarified that medical shops had different regional bodies and they would take a decision on their course of agitation.

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