Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 21: Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu has urged upon the State Finance Minister and other higher officers in the department to hold meeting with the traders body before the implementations of the new budget proposals as some clarifications are much important in this regard.
Addressing a press conference here today, president of the CCI Jammu Y V Sharma, referred to some problems being faced by the traders in view of new budget proposals. He said the Chamber has already given its reaction on the same. The Government arranged pre-budget discussions with CCI and various other trading and industrial bodies. The Finance Minister agreed to some of the demands but many of them remained un-addressed.
Chamber was confident that the Government will arrange some post-budget meetings. Taking this initiative the CCI has taken an initiative to speak to the Finance Minister, Financial Commissioner and other higher authorities in the Government. “We wanted to clarify some of the points before the passage of the budget but we are sorry to say that Government did not pay attention towards these efforts. No doubt, the Finance Minister must be busy in view of Assembly Session but it is also fact that the clarifications and suggestions which we want are also very important. It may resolve many problems of the trading community. It will also ensure better relations between Government and the traders,” Mr Sharma maintained.
CCI president pointed out that as per Government’s claim, it was tax- free budget. “We want to convey that blanket which was not attracting any VAT has been subjected to VAT. We wanted to seek clarification with regard to this. Branded soaps have been imposed VAT at 13.5 % , which was earlier 5%. Again, shoes, desi ghee and dry fruits which are taxed at 13.5 %, their tax had to be brought down in view of the persistent demand by the stake holders. Confusion about pipe fittings remain there as they are in the declared list of goods which attract tax at 5% only,” he added.
Mr Sharma said the Chamber represents concern of the trading and industrial community and feels that a stitch in time saves the business community from lot of botherations. Ratifications done before the budget is passed in the Assembly are highly desirable. He said that Chamber wants that their plea is addressed by the Finance Minister.
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