Indore industrialists to protest export tax

Indore-based industrialists have decided to go on a one day bandh to protest the implementation of the proposed export tax in the state. The Indore Municipal Corporation has already passed a resolution clearing the levy.

According to the resolution passed by the IMC Council, export tax would be levied at the rate of one-tenth to 1 per cent on the 14 categories of commodities.

The maximum rate of 1 per cent tax will be levied on indigenous and imported liquor, beer, opium and bhang while the minimum 0.1 per cent tax would be levied on grains, pulses, oilseeds, sugar and jaggery, agriculture products, husk, flour, fodder, clothes, readymade garments, iron and steel, machines, their spare parts, gears, shoes and sandals and leather-made articles.

Also tax will be levied at 0.2 per cent, 0.25 per cent and 0.5 per cent on some of the categories.

Shankar Yadav, the officer-in-charge, revenue committee, said that the recovery process would depend upon the figures shown in the commercial tax returns filed by the traders.

The traders and the businessmen, would be asked to work out the amount of the export tax to be deposited by them from time to time. However, industrialists and politicians in the city are up in arms against the proposed levy.

Ishwar Baheti, president, BJP Traders' Union, said, "Some indication regarding the non-implementation of the levy was mentioned in the presence of MP Sumitra Mahajan, but a clear decision could not be reached. The IMC is expected to take the necessary decision and make it clear to the public."

"We shall at any cost stand against the implementation of export tax whenever it is levied," said Sushil Sureka, general secretary of Ahilya Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Indore.