Traders observe strike against VAT in Maharashtra

Traders across Maharashtra observed a day-long strike today in protest against levying 5% VAT imposed by the Maharashtra government.  "The wholesale markets remained closed across the state in protest against levying 5% VAT imposed by the Maharashtra government," Federation of Association of Maharashtra's president, Mohan Gurnani told PTI here.  The retailer's from Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, Satara, Pune and Nagpur also joined the strike today, Gurnani said.The essential services and hotels were excluded from the strike in Mumbai, he said. 

"We demand complete withdrawal of tax increase as well total withdrawal of VAT on essential commodities without disturbing present rate of tax on other items including dry fruits," Gurnani said.The aim of the strike was to register a loud protest against the ill-intentioned action of the state government to pre-empt the budget session by announcing increase in the rates of VAT on 97 essential commodities and foodgrain items, just few days before the budget on March 25, he said.The association members will meet again on March 27 after the Maharashtra state's budget on March 25 and decide the future course of action, he said.