The Federation of All Odisha Traders’ Association (FAOTA) on Friday said it would intensify agitation from June 1 if the State Government doesn’t withdraw valued added tax (VAT), fee and local taxes on pulses and bring them out from the ambit of sensitive commodities category by then.
Addressing a Press Conference, FAOTA general secretary Sudhakar Panda said the traders would hold rallies and Rasta Rokos to press for their demands. Members of 94 co-organizations would hold stirs across the State.
Panda said while as many as 23 States have exempted VAT on pulses, wheat and wheat products, the FAOTA has urged the Odisha Government to impose one per cent entry tax on these commodities instead of VAT. From this, the Government would get Rs 50 crore to compensate the VAT loss, he said.