Cement traders to down shutters indefinitely from Nov 15

KOZHIKODE: The construction works in the state will come to a grinding halt with the cement traders going on an indefinite strike from November 15 to protest twin taxation policy of the government in the state.

Talking to newspersons here the Kerala Cement Dealers Association General Secretary M V Sakeer Hussain said the government had adopted an arbitrary taxation policy by including the products in the 'notified goods' category to charge normal tax and cess on discounts as well.

Accusing officials for harassing the traders, he said often they had said they were taking action as part of revenue recovery to meet their target He said the traders numbering about 6,000 in the state were compelled to go on agitation as the the government was unable to resolve the crisis despite repeated representations with meeting with the concerned Minister and top officials. 'The top officials and the Minister even did not convene a meeting to settle the issue amicably,' he said. Prior to the indefinite stir transportation of goods to the State will be stopped from November 1 and purchases from November 10, he added.