Students across Panjab University (PU) and other city-based education institutes now have reason to cheer as the Chandigarh Administration has decided not to levy VAT on food items. The issue was lying pending after the government had decided to impose the tax on eatables available in PU. Following this,vendors at the Students Centre had hiked the prices. The exemption comes as a relief for both the vendors as well as the students. The decision regarding the exemption was taken keeping in view the interests of the students of the university and other educational institutions,a deserving class for this concession,so as to make the food items available on a lesser price as compared to the market. Welcoming the decision,Sahil Nanda,PU students council president,said,The decision has come as a relief to both students as well as vendors here in the varsity. The matter was lying pending since long. The issue pertaining to exemption from payment of VAT on eatables and drinks being served to the students in messes and canteens in educational institutions has been under consideration for quite some time for the UT Administration. Accordingly,the Secretary Excise moved a case in this regard and the Administrator gave his approval to the proposal granting the exemption.
