VAT on different items will be reduced soon: CM

“We admit that there are certain commodities where VAT is less in states like Haryana and Delhi. It will be reduced to make it at par with them,” he said.

Uttar Pradesh levies tax in four slabs — zero percent,one percent,four percent and 12.5 percent on nearly 5,000 items. The demand for rationalisation of VAT was made by president of ABUVM Sandeep Bansal. “This anomoly needs to be rectified as besides the exploitation of traders even the consumers are affected by this,” said Bansal.

SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had refused to apply VAT during his regime. In 2007,it was finally introduced by BSP chief Mayawati. Mulayam had raised the issue of abolition of VAT during his election speech at Baghpat on 27 February.

Akhilesh also assured that soon a meeting will be held — may be in August — with officials and representatives of traders so that issues related to the trading community can be settled. “I assure you that traders will not be harassed by officials. Our policies will also not be against the interest of traders,farmers and small businessman,” the CM said.

Akhilesh also reiterated that FDI will not be allowed in retail sector. “It harms the interest of the farmers and small businessman. It will not be accepted,this is my assurance,” he said.

He stated that the process of food license will be made online.

Bansal,on his part,assured the CM that the trading community will support the SP in coming Lok Sabha elections.