Odisha Traders continue Stir against VAT on Food Items

Odisha’s main business point Malgodown in Cuttack was remained closed on Tuesday following indefinite strike called by the All Odisha Traders’ Association (AOTA) protesting against high Value Added Tax (VAT) rates levied on pulses and food grains.

Odisha traders joined the protest under the banner of AOTA, over 2,200 wholesale traders in the state have stopped importing pulses and wheat from other states.

They have been opposing implementation of 5% percent VAT on pulses and food grains in Odisha for long time, and they started indefinite strike on Tuesday.

AOTA members have been demanding the state government to bring a unitary tax system on food products instead implementing high VAT rates on these items.

The general secretary of AOAT, Sudhakar Panda said that as many as 23 states including neighboring states have not implemented VAT on pulses and food grains.

There would be shortage of pulses and food gains in the state if the traders continue their strike opposing the high VAT rates.