Andhra Pradesh Minister for Roads, Building and Commercial Taxes G Aruna Kumari told the State Assembly that there was no proposal to give any exemption on four per cent Value Added Tax (VAT) on pulses and foodgrains.
Replying to a question raised by TDP members P Mahender Reddy, P Raghunatha Reddy and others during Question Hour, she said the government was already providing assistance to the consumers through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and to the farmers by implementing National Food Security Mission.
Asked whether there was any proposal with the government to exempt VAT on foodgrains as was being done in other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra, she said there was no such proposal as VAT was not the reason for rising prices of the essential commodities.
TRS member Harish Rao alleged that the people were facing a burden of Rs 400 crore due to VAT on pulses and foodgrains and demanded the government to remove VAT.In reply, she said the government had converted the General Sales Tax into VAT and it was not a burden on the people.
Intervening into the discussion, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said it was essential to impose minimum tax to take up developmental and welfare schemes in the state for the benefit of the poor.
Though there was no VAT in neighbouring states, the prices of essential commodities had gone up as compared to Andhra Pradesh, he said, adding taxes were necessary to generate income for the State.Claiming that the State Government had reduced taxes on various items which were high during the TDP regime, he said he had no objection to remove Sales Tax in the state if it had enough revenues.
Replying to a question raised by TDP members P Mahender Reddy, P Raghunatha Reddy and others during Question Hour, she said the government was already providing assistance to the consumers through the Public Distribution System (PDS) and to the farmers by implementing National Food Security Mission.
Asked whether there was any proposal with the government to exempt VAT on foodgrains as was being done in other states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra, she said there was no such proposal as VAT was not the reason for rising prices of the essential commodities.
TRS member Harish Rao alleged that the people were facing a burden of Rs 400 crore due to VAT on pulses and foodgrains and demanded the government to remove VAT.In reply, she said the government had converted the General Sales Tax into VAT and it was not a burden on the people.
Intervening into the discussion, Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy said it was essential to impose minimum tax to take up developmental and welfare schemes in the state for the benefit of the poor.
Though there was no VAT in neighbouring states, the prices of essential commodities had gone up as compared to Andhra Pradesh, he said, adding taxes were necessary to generate income for the State.Claiming that the State Government had reduced taxes on various items which were high during the TDP regime, he said he had no objection to remove Sales Tax in the state if it had enough revenues.
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