Uttar Pradesh - Bandh to protest VAT regime hits business

Business activities were hit in the city on Tuesday as traders began their two-day bandh in protest against the proposed introduction of value-added tax (VAT) in Uttar Pradesh.

Heavy deployment of police personnel was seen in commercial areas of Chowk, Katra and Mutthiganj. Rapid action force was also stationed at sensitive points, though no untoward incident has been reported from anywhere around the city, police said.

Good response

The bandh evoked good response in the Chowk area which houses the city’s wholesale markets, as also in Katra, where most of the shopkeepers chose to down their shutters in protest against the proposed tax regime.

However, in the posh Civil Lines area the response was lukewarm and most of the shops remained open. Attempts were made by agitating traders to enforce the bandh at some places, but they were restrained by security forces, police claimed.

The traders community seemed to be divided on the issue of VAT, as the Sarvajan Udyog Vyapar Mandal on Monday decided to stay away from the strike.

Supporters of the traders’ outfit had even approached the district administration to provide adequate security amidst opposition to the proposed VAT regime which has been accepted by the entire country.

Source : The Hindu, India, dated 28/11/2007