Growers willing to pay GST if rate reduced to 4%
Deny that loan default is a chronic issue in agri sector.
HYDERABAD:
Agricultural growers are willing to pay the general sales tax if the levy is reduced to one fourth of the current 16% and growers owning up to 25 acres land are exempted, according to Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, a body representing the province’s farmers.
Growers have been protesting against the imposition of new taxes and withdrawal of subsidies on seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, agricultural equipment and machinery. The government, besides taking back the GST exemption on agricultural inputs has also levied 10 percent advance income tax on commission agents and 1.5 percent flood surcharge.
Sindh Chamber of Agriculture representative Mir Abdul Karim Talpur described what he termed as ‘utter neglect’ of the government towards food security. “Even India is providing free electricity to growers who cultivate 10 acres of land and there are plans afoot to double the exemption level up to 20 acres.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2011.
Agricultural growers are willing to pay the general sales tax if the levy is reduced to one fourth of the current 16% and growers owning up to 25 acres land are exempted, according to Sindh Chamber of Agriculture, a body representing the province’s farmers.
Growers have been protesting against the imposition of new taxes and withdrawal of subsidies on seeds, fertiliser, pesticides, agricultural equipment and machinery. The government, besides taking back the GST exemption on agricultural inputs has also levied 10 percent advance income tax on commission agents and 1.5 percent flood surcharge.
Sindh Chamber of Agriculture representative Mir Abdul Karim Talpur described what he termed as ‘utter neglect’ of the government towards food security. “Even India is providing free electricity to growers who cultivate 10 acres of land and there are plans afoot to double the exemption level up to 20 acres.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 24th, 2011.