Uttar Pradesh traders go on strike to protest VAT

Traders in Uttar Pradesh went on strike Tuesday to protest the Mayawati government's decision to bring the state in league with the rest of the country by implementing the Value Added Tax (VAT) regime.

All major shops and commercial establishments in the state capital remained closed as traders took out a protest march through the city's main thoroughfares, echoing their demand for withdrawal of the decision on VAT.

Similar reports were received from other parts of the state.

'VAT will harm the interest of traders while bringing back 'inspector raj'. That will only increase harassment of traders,' claimed Banwari lal Kanchal, the head of Samajwadi Party-sponsored Vyapar Mandal.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also supported the traders' strike.

Source : By India PRwire, dated 27/11/2007