Finance Minister Pradip Amat on Saturday stated that the proposal of the Federation of All Odisha Traders’ Associations (FAOTA) for introduction of a one-per cent entry tax in lieu of the five-per cent value added tax (VAT) on pulses, wheat and wheat products cannot be accepted since the issue of imposition of entry tax on agricultural products is pending before the Supreme Court.
Amat, however, said he has written a letter to the Chairman of the Empowered Committee of Finance Ministers to call a meeting of the committee for introduction of a unitary tax on pulses, wheat, wheat products and other agricultural products.
He appealed to the traders’ body to withdraw its indefinite agitation, which entered its third day on Saturday. 3FAOTA general secretary Sudhakar Panda said, “Our steering committee with representatives from all the 30 districts will meet tomorrow morning and take a decision on the future course of the agitation. The decision will be taken after taking into consideration the attitude of the Government and the interest of consumers.”
Notably, the State Government has decided to procure 10,000 tonnes of pulses from other States to meet the demand in view of the traders’ strike. Food Supplies and Consumer Welfare Secretary MS Padhi had said on Friday that the pulses consignment would be received within 15 days. The Government would float tender for supply of the 10,000 tonnes of different varieties of pulses, he said, adding that consumers can get the commodity from PDS outlets.