Jharkhand - VAT on outstation branded items to continue

Charging of VAT on outstation branded items would continue as Jharkhand cabinet approved its policy which was announced during the budget session to make essential commodities like paddy, rice, wheat and flour free from VAT.The cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Arjun Munda, gave the stamp of approval on the policy that some items would be free from VAT, Cabinet Secretary Aditya Swaroop told reporters here today. However, VAT would be imposed on branded items brought from outside the state, he added. The other essential items on which VAT would not be charged as per the announcement in March by Finance Minister Hemant Soren are potatoes, onion, blankets and towels.