Gangtok, 30 May, 2012:

Nathula Border Trade Welfare Association today submitted a letter to the Minister and Secretary for Commerce and Industries department regarding the exemption of import tax in revised items as the Central Government  has finalized 29% tax which is not agreed by the traders.

According to source, Central Government has revised 7 items for import and 5 items for export this year. The Nathula traders protesting the taxes are not participating in the trade which formally opened on May 21 this year.

The members of the association have plans to again meet the Secretary for Commerce and Industries on May 30 for solving the issues. The association will be sitting for the final meeting to decide on future course if the May 30 meeting fails to solve their problems. Sources also revealed that they have given ultimatum till May 30 to the concerned department on the issues and are hoping for the best. The traders may also ignore the new added items of imports and exports if the department fails to met up their demands.

The Central Government had revised the trade list after five years and on the same hand had imposed tax on the revised items.

Sikkim Mail

 

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