In sops to traders in Haryana, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Sunday waived VAT on pulses and abolished the market fee on jaggery.
Noting that traders play a key role in the progress of a State, Mr. Hooda also announced reduction in VAT on mustard oil cakes (khal) from 5 per cent to 2 per cent.
He further said the market fee on cotton would be charged at the rate of 1.6 per cent till 2015.
Addressing the State-level ‘Vyapar Mandal Sammelan’ in Hisar, which was organised under the chairmanship of former MP Naveen Jindal, Mr. Hooda also announced setting up of a coordination committee at the district level that would comprise representatives of district administration and businessmen. The committee would act as bridge between the government and traders, he said.
On stray incidents where traders had received ransom threats, Mr. Hooda said he had directed police officials to take strict action against those found guilty, and added that he had asked the Director-General of Police to issue weapon licenses to businessmen on a priority basis.
