With
the state budget slated tomorrow, the business lobby wants
the government to come up with a “forward-looking and
pragmatic” budget that would help boost trade and
commerce. The lobby also wants the budget to provide them a
“level-playing field with their counterparts in
neighbouring states”.
“Rationalising
the VAT structure is mandatory for the business community.
We have products where VAT is imposed in our state is 12.5
per cent. But in our neighbouring states, VAT on the same
products is just 4 per cent. Due to this difference,
businessmen of our state trading in such products are
suffering hugely,” claimed the Federation of Jharkhand
Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Manoj Naredi.
The
products include sweets, namkeen, motor parts, spare of arms
and ammunitions, among others. “Consumers find it
economical to purchase such items from Bengal, Orissa or
Bihar. Our trade suffers the most,” said Small-Scale
Industries Association chief A.K. Chhawchharia.
According
to Naredi, the government should emulate the Uttarakhand
government where tax holidays are given to boost trade and
commerce. “If such sops are provided in backward
districts, there would be increased commercial activities
there,” suggested the FJCCI president.
The
business fraternity wants the state to give more thrust to
improve infrastructure, particularly in power, water and
road sectors.
Sour
ce
: Calcutta Telegraph -
Calcutta, India, dated 04/03/2008
