SAD demands waiver of fixed power charges for the industrial sector
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Sunday demanded an immediate waiver of fixed charges for all industrial and trade establishments for the three-month lockdown period. It also demanded to allow both the sectors to retain State share of GST for this period.
SAD spokesman and former President of its Beopar Wing – N K Sharma said that he had started a series of meetings with representatives of the trade and industry on the directions of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal and the overwhelming consensus was that in case the Congress government did not extend any concessions to the industrial sector it would go back by 20 years.
“Punjab, which had earlier faced indebtedness amongst its peasantry, will now experience this amongst the trade and industry. Small traders, including petty shopkeepers, hardware sellers and professionals like photographers and barbers have been most affected. A cycle shop owner has already committed suicide and there is a sense of utter despair amongst the trading community at large”.
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दिल्ली में मजबूत हुई बीजेपी, अकाली दल का मिला साथ[/caption]
Sharma said the state government had promised not to levy fixed power charges on establishments which had been closed during the lockdown but had not kept its word. He said similarly instead of waiving power bills of shop keepers whose shops had been shuttered for two months, the government had issued power bills to them on average basis.
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The SAD Spokesman said it was incumbent on the government to provide a healing touch in this hour of crisis. “The least it can do is give relief where possible including allowing the industry and trade sector to retain State GST share for three months. Similarly, the government should not charge rent from shops leased out by Municipal Corporations and Committees during this period. Water charges as well as Property tax for this three-month period should also be waived off”.
-PTC News
