Rajasthan assurance to traders on taxes

Rajasthan Minister of State for Finance Virendra Meena on Tuesday assured traders that the State Government would protect their interests in the realms of value added tax (VAT), service tax and the proposed commodity tax by impressing upon the Centre the need to remove anomalies in their implementation.

Inaugurating a two-day national conference of the Confederation of All India Traders at the Rajasthan Chamber of Commerce headquarters here, Mr. Meena said the State Government would take steps to resolve their difficulties .

Mr. Meena pointed out that a high-powered committee of State Finance Ministers was presently examining various aspects of the proposed commodity and service tax in the light of experiences in other countries. “Only a few countries provide rebate in the prices of commodities in education, health care and food sectors.

The committee is looking into the proposal to levy the commodity tax from April 1, 2010,” he said. Those attending the conference will deliberate on simplification of tax regime, establishment of free trade zone for inter-State business, abolition of the Central sales tax, foreign investment and the entry of big industrial houses in the retail sector.