Textile shops remained closed both in SPSR Nellore and Prakasam districts on Thursday as part of the state-wide protest against heavy dose of Value Added Tax imposed on textiles.
The popular textile markets at Chirala in Prakasam district and Kavali in Nellore district wore a deserted look because of the strike by the textile traders. Textile Association senior member, Akula Venkatswarlu of Nellore has alleged that the hike in tax on textiles would hit the livelihood of small traders. He said that there is no VAT on textiles in any other state except in AP.
Venkateswarlu appealed to the government to withdraw the tax on textiles or keep the ordinance in abeyance. The textile traders in Nellore staged a protest before the collectorate and they have also submitted a representation to the finance minister, Anam Ramanarayana Reddy at his residence.
Textile traders in Chirala have appealed to the Chief Minister to provide jobs and give them Rs 12,000 or Rs 15,000 salary per month since it is very difficult to survive in the present circumstances. They have also criticised the commercial tax officials for detaining the textile goods on some pretext or other. The traders took out a rally from Gandhi market to bus stand and formed a human chain for a while.
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