Title: Problems faced by merchants due to imposition of Value Added Tax.
SHRI P.C. THOMAS (MUVATTUPUZHA): Sir, thousands of merchants from all over India and their Associations have come to Delhi and are staging a rally today regarding VAT, though it has been announced by the Finance Minister as well as the Government that it will be useful to the merchants also at large by way of cutting other taxes and pointing out all the taxes to one so that only one window will be there for taxation. But the problem is, they are to pay all the taxes including the Central Sales Tax and also the State taxes. I would submit that before implementing the VAT – especially, some of the States Governments have been refusing to implement but some States have taken the decision to implement – the request of the merchants is that it should be discussed with them as they have very serious grievances. Even if it is to be implemented, it could be in a different way.
So, I urge upon the Minister of Finance and also, through you, the Government, that some urgent steps may be taken to call their representatives to talk to them and find a way in this regard.