10 p.c. surcharge on ST

GANDHINAGAR, FEB. 22. The Gujarat Finance Minister, Mr. Vajubhai Vala, proposed an additional tax burden of Rs. 318 crores while granting tax relief of Rs. 6 crores leaving an uncovered deficit of Rs. 372.91 crores in the budget for the next financial year.

Almost everything in the State except the declared goods and the items covered under the Central sales tax like the petroleum products will become dearer with the proposed sweeping 10 per cent surcharge on the prevailing rates of sales tax on all items to collect funds for meeting the prevailing drought conditions in the State besides a two per cent hike on sales tax on PVC pipes.

Presenting a Rs. 684.91 crores deficit budget in the State Assembly here today, Mr. Vala assured the House that the surcharge would remain in force only for one year and the Rs. 246 crores expected to be collected from the hike would be utilised to meet the drought situation caused by failure of monsoon.

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Section  : Regional
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