Bajwa demands withdrawal of e-trip taxation system

AMRITSAR: Punjab Congress chief Partap Singh Bajwa today demanded withdrawal of the E-trip system of tax collection, and said his party strongly stands by the business community against "unfair" decisions of the SAD-BJP regime.

Addressing a meeting organised by the business fraternity of Amritsar here, Bajwa alleged the SAD-BJP government was punishing the traders' community for its own failures.

He alleged that poor governance was major reason for bad economy of the state, and the government was imposing taxes on all sections of people to cover up budget deficit.

Punjab had slipped from first to sixth rank in terms of economic performance, he said.

Bajwa said that Congress is against e-trip system, as it is not in the interest of small businesses.

He said high rates of VAT and other taxes, like property tax on commercial properties, were affecting the business activities in the state.

The high power tariff is another major reason that industry is reeling under financial crunch, he added.

Bajwa said that the Centre's decision to extend the Eastern Industrial Corridor between Kolkata and Delhi to Amritsar will revive trade activities in the border districts.

He said that if cross border trade is opened with Pakistan, Amritsar will be major beneficiary.