Rahul wants VAT on Agra-made shoes to go, writes to CM

In a significant move, AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi has written to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati protesting against the imposition of 12.5 per cent value-added tax (VAT) on shoes made in Agra.

What makes the letter significant is that nearly 300,000 workers in the industry in Agra are Dalits and have been supporters of Mayawati's Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).

According to sources, Gandhi wrote the letter after the Agra Shoe Manufacturers Association approached him with their complaint. Gandhi pointed out that the shoes which were machine-made were only charged 4 per cent VAT while hand-made shoes, made by these workers, were charged 12.5 per cent.

Gandhi said that just as chikan textiles and banarasi silks were exempted from the VAT surcharge as they were local produce, hand-made shoes, traditional products of Agra, should also get this benefit.

The presentation of the VAT form every three months has also become a headache, according to the Agra Shoe Manufacturing Association. Gandhi has also spoken about this in his letter.

He had earlier successfully pleaded with the Central government that the National Rural employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) be implemented in all districts of the country.

He had also raised the issue of non-payment of cane arrears to UP's sugarcane farmers on the floor of the House.

This particular intervention is significant as it takes on Mayawati on her own turf and among her strongest votebank. The letter was dispatched today.