Industry chamber wants VAT deadline extension

The Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has accused the Punjab government of making tall claims of development and holding 'vikas yatras' to woo the electorate for the coming Assembly elections. Still, trade and industry here are languishing because of persistent neglect.

Avtar Singh, general secretary, CICU, made a plea to the Punjab Finance Minister Surinder Singla to extend the date for filing of VAT returns with forms C to March 31 in order to ensure smooth compliance with the VAT regulations.

Inderjit Singh Pardhan, president, CICU, said the miserable condition of the industrial infrastructure, poor condition of roads in industrial areas and focal points, erratic and inadequate power supply, shortage of containers and non-availability of air-link between Ludhiana and metro cities, were the major drawbacks hampering the industrial growth and also exports from here.

The CICU has taken a serious note of the indifferent attitude of the government towards trade and industry, asserting that the road shows and vikas-yatras were of no use unless the problems being faced by trade and industry were addressed and mitigated at the grass-root level.

"The Punjab government will take corrective measures, that too without any delay to save the business community from avoidable harassment and will also create a conducive atmosphere for promotion of trade, industry and exports,'' said Pardhan.

Meanwhile, K S Budhiraja, senior vice-president, Punjab Monoblock Pumps and Submersible Dealers Association, has requested the Centre to exempt the pumps being used for irrigation purpose, from CST and VAT in all the states to improve the economic condition of farmers.