Traders from across Orissa have threatened to launch a two-day strike on May 24 to protest against the state government's recent decision to impose 4 per cent value added tax (VAT) on textile and sugar.

The traders described the government's decision as arbitrary and demanded its rollback. They claimed that the imposition of VAT will increase the prices of various textile products and sugar and consumers will have to bear the brunt.

The agitating traders stated that the state government has already imposed an entry tax of 1 per cent on sugar and 2 per cent on textiles. The further imposition of 4 per cent VAT will also increase the tax burden on traders, the added.