YSR Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, on Friday, assured textile traders that if his party comes to power in the state in the next elections the first file he would sign would be one exempting them from VAT.
Addressing textile traders, who were protesting in front of the Revenue Divisional Office in Narsaraopeta in Guntur, demanding that the government abolish VAT, Y S Jagan condemned the state government for not responding to their demand on VAT.
The textile traders have been agitating against VAT since 24 January, he said. He added that the imposition of VAT had affected more than 1.5 lakh retail, semi-retail and wholesale textile traders in the state.
Unlike other states, Jagan said, the Andhra Pradesh government had imposed a 5% VAT. This, he said, caused a burden of Rs. 1,400 on each family.
The high percentage was forcing many to shut down their business, he added. He opined that if this situation continues, several would be rendered unemployed.
By imposing heavy taxes, he said, the government wanted to fund welfare schemes launched for the benefit of the poor and the downtrodden.
He alleged that Congress leaders were "seeking the blessings: of party president Sonia Gandhi with an eye on political posts.
"They are not bothered about solving people's problems", he added.
Jagan said that he would intensify his agitation if the government fails to lift the VAT on textile traders immediately. (INN)
filed in:Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, Handloom & Textiles