Breakaway shoe traders continue strike against VAT

The Agra Shoe Factors Federation (ASFF) called off its nineteen-day-long strike against "discriminatory" provisions in value-added tax (VAT) introduced in Uttar Pradesh from January 1, but two breakaway trader groups are still on strike.

ASFF Chairman Raj Kumar Sama said the commissioner (commercial tax) had assured relaxing the duration of input tax credit on products purchased from unregistered traders from 13 months to 30 days.

But Agra Shoe Traders' Association and Agra Shoe Markets Association have set up a Shoe Traders' Joint Committee and announced its resolve to continue with their strike.