Date:07/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/04/07/stories/2005040703060200.htm

Back AP druggists call off strike

Our Bureau

A medical shop in Hyderabad is opened with police protection on Wednesday. Though some medical shops in the city were open for business, reports from other parts of the State said the shops remained closed. - A. Roy Chowdhury

Hyderabad , April 6

PHARMACIES will open their shutters again on Thursday, with the stand-off over value-added tax between the chemists and druggists and the State Government resolved for now.

The development followed an assurance from the Government that the impact of VAT implementation on medicines would be monitored for three months, after which a final decision would be taken.

At a joint press conference with Association representatives, the Home Minster, Mr K. Jana Reddy, said during this three-month period, practical difficulties faced by the chemists and druggists would be studied.

The review period is not something new since both the Empowered Committee on VAT (at the national level) and the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, had already announced the review for the entire implementation of VAT.

He also assured that the Government would consider withdrawal of cases on some of the Association members. The Government team, which also consisted of Mr K. Rosaiah (Finance) and Mr K. Ramakrishna (Commercial Taxes), held a marathon discussion with the striking chemists and druggists, lasting nearly seven hours.