Srinagar, Jun 01 (KNS): The Valley traders on Wednesday urged the business community of Kashmir to down their shutters on Saturday (June 4), to protest against the budget 2016-17 in case government failed to roll back the taxes.
In first of its kind, the Jammu traders who shared the stage in a meeting with the Valley traders also supported the Bandh call while appealing the state administration to rollback the taxes.
The various trade bodies including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I), Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF), Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) and Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry after holding joint meeting over budget 2016-17 presented by the finance minister, Dr Hasseb A Drabu urged the valley businessmen to close down their shops on Saturday to mark a protest against the government.
The call according to a trade body member was given against increase from 5% to 14 ½ % in Schedule D–I, Entertainment duty of Rs.50/- per connection on satellite and cable TV, no exemption of tax, for Walnut wood carving products, long demanded tax exemption has not been given on handicraft made-up products like bags cushion covers etc, increase of 5% tax on ATF, neglecting long pending demand for Artisan Credit Card Scheme sought to be brought at par with the Kisan Credit Card Scheme, nothing specific from the state has been provided to compensate/provide relief to the flood victims, business or common man leaving them to suffer indefinitely, not addressing removal of negative list of items being manufactured by local industries, no consideration over waiving of interest/surcharge from power dues and waiver of penalties in the matter of defaults in commercial tax too has not been given any consideration.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
KCCI president, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani told KNS that ‘bandh call’ has been given against the taxes and various other demands, which finance minister failed to present in the 2016-17 budget in the ongoing legislative assembly.
“Increase of 5% tax on ATF will affect the tourism sector in the state. We appeal the state government to rollback the taxes, which will directly or indirectly affect the common man or business community,” he said. (KNS)