The State unit of the Samajwadi Party on Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of the State Assembly demanding withdrawal of the five-per cent value added tax (VAT) imposed on pulses, wheat and wheat products.
Party State president Rabi Behera submitted a memorandum meant for the Chief Minister urging him to curtail the VAT on essential rations like pulses, wheat and wheat products to stop hoarding and a black-marketing-like situation in the State.
Due to the traders’ indefinite strike, rate of suji, atta, wheat and pulses have increased. “If the State doesn’t solve the problem of the traders, rates of the pulses and wheat products will go up higher,” said Behera.