VAT returns row:Traders mulling to hit roads

Srinagar: Accusing the Peoples Democratic Party-led Government of being anti-business community, various Kashmir-based traders and business chambers Monday warned that they will hit to roads against the government if the date for filing of quarterly Value Added Taxes (VAT) returns of first and second quarter for financial year 2016-17 will not be extended.

Addressing a press conference here in Srinagar president Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Federation (KTMF) Bashir Ahmed said that the decision of Commercial Tax Department not to extend the date for filing of quarterly Value Added Taxes (VAT) returns is an indicator that government is hell-bent and keen to harass the business community.

“This is a unilateral decision rather is a diktat from the government to the business community. We have been observing how this incumbent government has been pursuing anti-business community policies. We reject this diktat from the government,” he said.

Other traders bodies including Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), Federation Chamber of Industry Kashmir (FCIK), Kashmir Economic Alliance ( KEA), Kashmir Economic Forum have also criticized the government decision for forcing the business community to file their returns at a time when Kashmir economy is in doldrums and Kashmir has been witnessing continuous shutdowns from past 105 days.

“Government has marginalized business community by their wrong policies.

He said the government should wake up from slumber and its ministers need to shun their “arrogant approach towards traders as otherwise the business community will have no option but to come on roads,” Bashir Ahmed said. (CNS)

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