Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 30: Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jammu has urged upon the Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu to provide amnesty to the traders and industrialists as one time initiative for GST recoveries and default in VAT Act.
During pre-budget meeting with the Finance Minister and Commissioner / Secretary Finance Naveen Kumar Choudhary here today, the Jammu Chamber members made several submissions to the Government for its consideration before finalization of the upcoming State Budget. They also referred to the victimization of some traders by the Commercial Tax Department officials at Jammu and Lakhanpur and appealed the higher authorities to properly monitor the activities of the field staff and not to harass the genuine traders.
They said that in case of a unit which has been closed down due to any reason and its power connection is disconnected, the present policy for surrender of its connection warrants payment of minimum demand charges for six months and payment of arrears along with interest up to date. The Govt in such cases should waive off the interest and demand arrears for six months and allow the connection to be surrendered with concerned division only. The Govt must give amnesty for those industrial units. This will help in faster recovery of dead arrears and ensure revival of sick units.
The CCI members further demanded that amnesty be announced to waive off the interest/ penalties during the GSDT period/ Pre-VAT so that it gives a great relief to the people in business and also result in collection of huge revenue to the Government. The Chamber also appealed to provide amnesty on account of default in VAT Act. It was also urged that there should be no negative list for industries except as notified by the Central Government. Moreover, Gym services should be exempted from the Service Tax.
The Finance Minister was also urged to offer exemption on the entertainment tax on running indoor activities like 5-D and 9-D theatres, bowling, Video games, rides etc. VAT on Desi Ghee, soaps, dry fruits, shoes etc should be brought at par with the neighbouring States. The VAT on Polycarborate sheets/ plastic sheets be brought down to 5% as in the neighbouring States. No penalty be imposed on traders if they fail to produce C-form.
The CCI also demanded creation of new industrial units, release of adequate funds for raising infrastructure, release of payments to the Industrial units by Treasuries, according power tariff for service industry, extension of VAT remission to industry, Toll Tax exemption to Industry, Education material be brought under 0 % VAT category, Tax on dry fruits and shoes be brought as 5 %, there should be amnesty on GST recoveries, entry tax on stone crusher machinery be abolished, power tariff being charged from hotel industry at commercial rates be charged as Industrial tariff as per MSME norms, VAT on shawls be abolished and threshold limit for payment of composite tax in respect of small traders/ Dabhawallas under SRO 404 of 2007 should be increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakhs.
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