Traders from 13 Seemandhra districts came together to form a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to pitch in their effort for keeping the State united during the ongoing Samaikyandhra agitation.
At a meeting convened by the Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) here on Thursday, which was attended by the president and secretary of various chambers of commerce from the 13 districts, a new body ‘Samaikyandhra Parirakshana Vartaka Vanijya JAC’ was formed to join the APNGOs in the agitation.
Addressing the mediapersons after the meeting, the VCCI general secretary Vakkalagadda Bhaskara Rao said, “We have decided to oppose the proposed bifurcation tooth and nail, as it will spell doom for us. In the event of bifurcation, we will need to spend about 4.5 per cent to 17.5 per cent as VAT for any import from Hyderabad.”
Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce and Industrypresident V. Ramachandra Rao pointed out that Hyderabad had become the hub for all commercial and industrial activity and every trade had a link with Hyderabad and if bifurcation takes place the traders in the Seemandhra region would lose heavily on all fronts.
According to Mr. Bhaskara Rao, the annual earnings of the State from commercial taxes was about Rs. 47,000 crore of which coastal region contributed to the tune of Rs. 13,000 crore, Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy region Rs. 27,000 crore and Telangana region Rs. 7,000 crore.
“Of the Hyderabad’s share more than 80 per cent was contributed by traders and businessmen from Seemandhra region. Our share in developing Hyderabad is huge and we just cannot give it on a platter to the people of Telangana,” he said.
To begin with, the association will first send a detailed representation highlighting the disadvantages of bifurcation to the President of India, Chief Minister, Defence and Home Ministers.
“This will be followed by a direct in-person representation to the Chief Minister, a one-day bandh call and relay hunger strike. The event dates will be finalised soon,” said Mr. Bhaskara Rao.
