Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday rejected the demand of textile traders for withdrawal of five percent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on textiles.
The Chief Minister stated that the government has imposed the VAT on textile traders having turnovers of over Rs 10 crores. He said the VAT has been imposed to fund the welfare schemes and programmes launched for poor and downtrodden.
The Chief Minister made this statement when the Textile Traders, who are observing bandh from January 23 to 31st in the State, called on him at his Camp Office on Friday demanding exemption of VAT claiming that it has been adversely affecting their businesses.
Questioning the rationale behind seeking exemption of VAT by big traders, the Chief Minister stated the government has not imposed VAT on the traders whose turnovers are below Rs 5 lakh. The government has imposed one percent VAT on traders having turnovers of Rs 40 lakh, he said.
Stating that the government imposed VAT on the lines of other states, he advised that the big textile houses should not resort to agitations and dharnas seeking exemption from VAT. However, he assured that he would direct the officials not to harass the traders over the VAT.
Dissatisfied with the response from the Chief Minister, the textile traders have decided to continue the agitation and would meet soon to decide the future course of action. (INN)
2012/1/29 12:24:58 Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary K Narayana on Sunday demanded that the State Government withdraw VAT on textiles.
In a symbolic protest, Narayana and other CPI activists took out a rally to Indira Park by removing their shirts. Later, talking to reporters Narayana said that the continuation of VAT on textiles would put additional burden on the common man to the extent that they would not able to buy clothes.
The CPI leader said that it was unfortunate that the State Government was trying to extort money from a profession that fulfils the basic need of clothing. Expressing solidarity with the textiles traders whose strike entered 7th day on Sunday, he said that it was unfortunate that the government did not even tried to negotiate with the traders to end the strike.
Narayana warned that the CPI would launch a massive agitation across the State if the government fails to withdraw the VAT. (INN)
2011/7/13 8:55:10 The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FAPCCI) on Wednesday requested Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy to withdraw 4 per cent Vat on Textiles and Sugar. The FAPCCI submitted a detailed representation to the Chief Minister on the issue.
Pointing out that the state government had issued a notification, (GO Ms No 932 on July 8, 2011 levying VAT at the rate of 4 per cent on Textiles and Sugar with effect from July 11, the FAPCCI said that the commodities had been exempted from taxation since 1957 all over India.
It further pointed out that the Central government had introduced Additional Excise Duty (AED) at the manufacturing stage and States were getting their share of revenue.
Millions of people are involved in the manufacture and trade of textiles and sugar in Andhra Pradesh. Textile industry is highly fragmented and price sensitive and such levy would result in diversion of business. Needless to say unilateral taxation in Andhra Pradesh will result in illegitimate trade within the State, creating distortion and panic throughout the industry and trade. The initial reaction of the trade is vociferous and protests through a bundh and we are flooded with representations from all over the State, the FAPCCI said.
The FAPCCI also brought to the Chief Ministers notice that as per the explanation appended to Schedule-I of The Andhra Pradesh Value Added Tax Act, 2005, the goods mentioned in entries 45 (Textiles) and 46 (Sugar) shall be included in the relevant heads and sub-heads of the 1st Schedule to the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957, but does not include goods where no additional duties of excise are levied under that schedule.
The imposition and levy of 4 per cent tax will increase the price of textiles and sugar in the State than the prices of textiles and sugar in other neighbouring States. The levy and imposition of VAT will burden the consumers in the State of Andhra Pradesh and the business will get diverted to neighbouring States.(INN)
Vijaya Lakshmi refuses to withdraw from Mahbubnagar
2012/2/25 5:41:04 Hyderabad, Feb 25 (INN): Vijaya Lakshmi, the widow of Rajeshwar Reddy, who filed nomination as independent candidate from Mahbubnagar Assembly constituency, on Saturday stated that she would not withdraw from the by-election.
Talking to media persons after meeting Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at his Camp Office, Vijaya Lakshmi condemned media reports that she was withdrawing from the by-elections after having discussions with the Chief Minister.
She said that the Chief Minister stated that the Congress party would not change its candidate Muthya Prakash. However, the Chief Minister assured her that he would give her a suitable position in the party. “When the Chief Minister called me, I thought that the Congress party will give me B-Form. But the party has broken my hopes. I will take a decision on my contest after consulting the party seniors in my constituency,” she said.
2012/1/23 6:08:19 All the cloth merchants in the state are closing their shops from 23rd to 31st January in protest against levying 5% VAT on the textiles. Hence, the 10,000 wholesale shops and more than 1 lakh retail shops across the state will remain closed for the next 8days. The cloth merchants have expressed their grief over VAT by conducting a march and one day shut down of their businesses during the last year. But, there is no positive response from the State Government. So, now the merchants demanding to withdraw the GO No.932 which levies 5% VAT have closed down their businesses for 9days. They said it is unfair to levy VAT on the textiles on which around 4 lakh people are earning their bread.
YSR Congress party president, who always fights for the people's cause, has come forward in support of Textile Merchants of the state who demands to withdraw the 5% VAT levied on them. YS.Jagan Mohan Reddy right now is staging dharna before RDO office at Narasarao Peta. Cloth merchants from nearby villages and towns thronged the place in support of Jagan's dharna.
2011/10/27 4:23:56 New Delhi, Oct 27 (IANS) The government has sanctioned Rs.2,100 crore to set up 21 new textiles parks across the country with advanced infrastructure and upgraded technology, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said Thursday.
All the 21 new textiles parks will be completed over the next three years under the government-run scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks.
Sharma, as chairman of the project approval committee under the scheme, accorded approval to the recommendations of the inter ministerial project scrutiny committee that examined 55 proposals, an official statement said.
"Sanction of new textiles parks would catalyse significant additional investments with industry utilising the benefits both under the Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks for development of common infrastructure and under the Technology Upgradation Funds Scheme for installation of plant and machinery," Sharma said.
The Scheme for Integrated Textiles Parks seeks green field investments in textiles sector on a public private partnership basis with the objective of setting up world class infrastructure for the textiles industry.
Of the 21 units approved, six will be in Maharashtra, four in Rajasthan, two each in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, one each in Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Tripura, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and West Bengal.
Product mix in these parks would include apparel and garment parks, hosiery parks, silk parks, processing parks, technical textiles including medical textiles, carpet parks and powerloom parks.
"The focus has been to ensure value addition through aggregation to best utilize India's raw material surplus in cotton and cotton yarn for enhanced labour employment and export earnings," Sharma said in a statement.
The minister said on the back of the huge success of textiles park scheme in the country he would urge higher fund allocation for the scheme for Twelfth Five Year Plan that starts April 1, 2012.
Of the 40 textiles parks sanctioned under the 11th Five Year Plan, 24 have started operations and attracted investments of over Rs.18,880 crores, with a government subsidy of Rs.1,420 crore.
Sharma said the new textiles parks would leverage an investment of over Rs.9,000 crore and provide employment nearly four lakh workers.
2012/1/23 14:59:06 Over two lakh textiles traders across the State began their nine-day bandh on Monday demanding lifting of five per cent Value Added Tax on textiles.
The ever-busy markets at Pathergatti, Patel Market, Rikabgunj, Secunderabad and other places in the city wore deserted look on Monday after the traders downed their shutters. The traders also took out rallies and a massive dharna was also staged at the Indira Park demanding that the State Government spare the textile traders from the burden of VAT till the time the General Sales Tax is implemented across the country.
The Andhra Pradesh Federation of Textiles Associations general secretary Soma Dayanand told INN that five per cent VAT was badly hitting the textiles' business in the State. He said the State Government issued a GO Ms No 932 on July 8, 2011, levying four per cent VAT on textiles and the same was later enhanced to five per cent. He said no other State in the country was collecting VAT on textile. Four states - Odissa, Jharkhand, Rajasthan and Tamilnadu have rolled back the VAT after protests.
Dayanand said that a majority of youth were inclined towards readymade garments which are already attracting VAT. Therefore, levying of VAT on textiles was not required. Textiles trade has a credit period of more than four months. Traders need to pay tax in advance even when there is no actual cash trade. Therefore, nearly two lakh traders are being forced bear the burden of VAT, he said.
The Federation has demanded that the government immediately roll back the VAT as it would directly or indirectly affect nearly 20 lakh families across the State.
The Federation has warned that they would conduct a 'Chalo Assembly' rally in February if the State Government do not lift the VAT from textiles. (INN)
Will chief minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy withdraw cases against the Eenadu baron Ramoji Rao. It is likely say analysts. The TDP will write a letter to the CM asking him to withdraw all cases against Ramoji Rao that are within the purview of the state government.
The chances of KKR doing this are bright as he needs the support of Eenadu and ETV desperately in order to counter the criticism from Sakshi TV and newspaper.
2012/1/27 10:09:30 YSR Congress party president YS.Jagan Mohan Reddy who is right now is staging a dharna near RDO office in Narsaraopeta in Guntur district has promised the textile merchants to remove VAT Tax once he elected to power. Addressing a large gathering at Narsaraopeta Jagan said "The first paper I sign after assuming the office would be the GO abolishing VAT on the textiles. The Government has levied 5% VAT on the textiles without considering the 1.5lakhs cloth shops problems in the state. Each family has to carry a load of Rs.1400 with 5% VAT. This will force many to close their shops resulting in unemployment in the state. Andhra Pradesh is the only one state that collects 5% VAT on the textiles. The State Government is indulged in looting the public in the name of Taxes. This Government is not at all bothered about people's problems, but leaves no stone unturned to please Sonia Gandhi. If, it still ignores the merchants' demands our party is ready to fight on their behalf."
Later, Jagan Mohan Reddy has submitted a memorandum to RDO.
2011/9/25 6:00:53 Handlooms and Textiles Minister Dr P Shankar Rao on Sunday expressed his ire over the unilateral decisions being taken by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy without taking the Cabinet into confidence.
Addressing a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, the Minister lashed out at the Chief Minister for announcing Rs 1 a kg rice scheme without informing Cabinet. "Such an important decision has to be taken in the Cabinet or the same has to be announced in the assembly sessions. But the Chief Minister has taken the decision without even consulting the concerned Civil Supplies Minister," he complained to the Sonia Gandhi. "Such an important decision was taken without taking into confidence of his own cabinet members is most objectionable matter and several ministers and the Congress party legislators are very serious about this issue," he claimed.
Dr Shankar Rao alleged that the Chief Minister provoking the Telangana leaders by making inflammatory speeches. "Our chief minister is using the divide and rule policy with the Telangana people and the leaders. He is luring the employees by way of paying double the salary if they withdraw from agitation," he said while referring to Chief Minister’s instructions that non-striking employees be paid salaries on September 29 itself. He alleged that the Chief Minister instead of holding dialogue with employees' leaders was provoking the Telangana sentiments.
Appealing to employees to withdraw the general strike as it has been causing lot of inconvenience, he expressed confidence that the Centre would announce its decision on Telangana state by Deepavali festival. He also appealed to RTC management to pay full salaries of employees apart from festival advance without taking into account the participation of employees in the general strike. (INN)
2012/1/16 12:04:36 The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Pulivendula MLA Y S Vijayamma to withdraw her petition seeking transfer of the hearing on her petition against TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu in from AP High Court to any other HC.
A bench comprising Justice B S Chavan and Justice T S Thakur observed that it was not right to doubt the integrity of any court.
Hearing the petition seeking transfer of cases against Chandrababu Naidu to any other Court, the apex court said “Either you withdraw it or we will dismiss it outright.”
The bench observed “When your petition is being heard and a judgment is awaited, you are seeking the transfer of the case which tantamounts to denigrating the country’s judicial system. Either you withdraw it or we will dismiss it outright.”
While filing Special Leave Petition, Vijayamma said, she had no faith in the AP High Court and feared that she might not get due justice there on her petition demanding a CBI probe into the alleged amassing of wealth by Naidu during his regime as the chief minister.
Earlier, a single judge of the AP High Court heard her petition and ordered a CBI investigation on the alleged misdeeds of Naidu.
The High Court reserved its final judgment on the issue. (INN)
2012/1/20 14:19:47 The Telangana Political Joint Action Committee on Friday asked the State Government to withdraw the cases registered against the students who participated in the separate Telangana agitation.
Briefing the media about the decision taken during the TP-JAC's steering committee meeting held at the Lotus Pond here on Friday, JAC chairman Prof M Kodandaram said that despite several assurances, the State Government did not withdraw the cases against the students. Hundreds of students are unable to apply for the government jobs which are being notified due to the cases pending against them, he said.
Prof Kodandaram said that even Union Home Minister P Chidambaram has assured that cases would be withdrawn against the students, but the State Government did not take any steps to fulfil the promise. He said that JAC's Steering Committee has unanimously resolved to organise protests across the region if the government withdraw the cases immediately.
The Steering Committee also demanded scrapping of Teachers' Eligibility Test. According to Prof Kodandaram, thousands of students who have qualified for the B Ed would lose relevance due to TET. Therefore, the government should scrap the TET while restoring the importance of B Ed for the recruitment to the posts of teachers in the State, he said.
Prof Kodandaram said that the district JAC's would be communicated about the Steering Committee's decision and a final decision on future programmes would be taken on Saturday. (INN)
2011/10/24 7:41:48 The Telangana Village Revenue Officers and the Judicial Employees JACs on Monday withdraw from the Sakala Janula Samme, the general strike demanding statehood for the Telangana region which entered 42nd day on Monday.
The Telangana VROs JAC had a detailed discussion with Revenue Minister N Raghuveera Reddy at the State Secretariat and has decided to withdraw the strike following an assurance from the government that all their demands would be considered. JAC chairman Ram Reddy said that the VROs would join the duties from Tuesday onwards.
Meanwhile, the judicial employees too have ended their strike after the government accepted their demands which included treating the strike period as paid leave. The Judicial Employees JAC leaders had discussion with Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy at latter's camp office and formalised the end of strike. The JAC said that all the employees would join the duties with immediate effect. (INN)
2011/9/7 7:54:17 Textile shops in Hyderabad remained closed on Wednesday demanding abolition of VAT
Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday appealed to the State Government to lift four percent value added tax imposed on textile traders.
Addressing a programme organized at Exhibition Grounds by the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Textile Association, Naidu said that the imposition of four percent VAT on weavers and textiles traders would cause immense financial hardship for the business communities. Stating that no other State in the country has imposed VAT on clothes, he said the state government was trying to extort nearly Rs 1500 crore from the traders.
Though the Centre lifted excise duty on weavers, Naidu alleged the state government continuing it in blatant violation of rules and regulations. He said that lakhs of people were employed directly and indirectly by the textiles industry and their future would be in doldrums if the new tax is not waived. He advised the government to increase taxes on mining and belt shops.
Communist Party of India state secretary K Narayana warned the government of serious consequences if it fails to lift the VAT on traders. He said that the CPI would organize half-naked procession across the state.
Communist party (Marxist) state secretary B V Raghavulu expressed serious concern over the imposition of tax on textiles, the primary need of all people. He asked the Chief Minister to explain to people of state what necessitated him to impose tax on textiles. He said the people of state would revolt against the government move if it did not lift the VAT immediately.
The textile traders are observing two day bandh across the State protesting against the imposition of VAT. The traders are also planning to sit in for relay hunger strikes on Thursday apart from holding statewide protests. (INN)
2011/9/19 21:58:56 Kollywood actress Sona's complaint against his son obliges SP. Bala Subrahmanyam to find some time out of his busy schedule to resolve the problem. According to reports, SPB who is embarrassed with his son Charan's issue is said to be talked to Sona, who is now in a private hospital in Chennai and appealed her to withdraw the case that she has filed against his son. He assured her that he will bring his son to her and tender apology personally but asked her not to insist for a public statement, which will tarnish his family reputation. It is learnt that, Sona also convinced with his appeal. Most probably, she may withdraw the case once he fulfills his promise.
2012/2/10 13:53:59 Telangana Political Joint Action Committee chairman Prof M Kodandaram on Friday appealed to all pro-Telangana activists to participate in the convention being organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party at Nizam College Grounds on Saturday. The convention is being organised to mark the conclusion of 22 days Telangana Poruyatra in the Telangana districts.
Talking to media persons while conducting door-to-door campaign at Amberpet in the city, Kodandaram called upon the Telangana people not to withdraw the agitation until the government announces its decision on the Telangana statehood. He accused the Congress and TDP of being responsible for the delay in the Centre taking decision on statehood. He exhorted the people to teach a fitting lesson to both the parties in the ensuing by-elections.
Kodandaram said that the JAC would intensify its agitation from April and would not withdraw until the Centre takes a favourable decision on Telangana. He thanked the BJP for extending its support to the statehood agitation. (INN)
2011/9/26 2:25:45 The Telangana activists on Monday barged into premises of Road Transport Authority office at Khairtabad demanding withdrawal of show-cause notices served on employees.
Raising 'Jai Telangana' slogans, the activists entered the office of Assistant Commissioner Srinivasa Rao demanding that he withdraw the notices served on employees immediately. The activists had a heated argument with the Assistant Commissioner and manhandled him during the argument.
The Telagnana activists also had a heated argument with Transport Commissioner Hiralal. The activists said that they would not leave the premises until the Commissioner withdraw show cause notices.
Bowing to the pressure of activists, the Assistant Commissioner told the activists that he would withdraw notices served on the employees.
According to sources, the commissioner issued show cause notices on employees who participated in the general strike of employees expressing solidarity to Telangana agitation. (INN)
TDP asks CM to withdraw comments on inauspicious timing
2012/4/16 2:04:09 Hyderabad, April 16 (INN): The Telugu Desam Party on Monday demanded that Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy withdraw the remarks that he made in Visakhapatnam stating that the State was in trouble as he did not take oath on an auspicious occasion.
Talking to reporters at NTR Trust Bhavan, senior TDP leader Varla Ramaiah said that the Chief Minister was trying to escape from his responsibilities by blaming the star. He said instead of giving a progress report on his achievements in the last 16 months as the Chief Minister, Kiran Kumar Reddy was trying to blame the priests for selecting a wrong time for his oath ceremony.
Demanding that the Chief Minister withdraw his comments, Ramaiah said that Kiran Kumar Reddy criticised his own government by making such a statement. He described Kiran Kumar Reddy as the weakest Chief Minister the State has ever had since its formation in 1956.
Ramaiah also questioned the silence of Chief Minister over the corruption of former chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. He alleged that Kiran Kumar Reddy was not criticism Jagan due to the secret pact the latter had with the Congress High Command.
2011/11/14 15:18:52 The Telugu Desam Telangana Forum on Monday asked the Congress MPs from the region to withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA Government.
Talking to reporters, Forum convenor Errabelli Dayakar Rao said that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh's statement was a clear indication that the UPA Government was not in favour of granting statehood for Telangana region. Therefore, he demanded that the Congress PMs from Telangana should meet President Pratibha Patil and withdraw their support to the government.
Errabelli also alleged that the Telangana Rashtra Samithi and the Congress were hand-in-glove in delaying the decision on the Telangana issue. He suspected that the Prime Minister's statement stating that decision on Telangana was not possible without consensus was given at the instance of TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao. He accused the TRS chief of exploiting the statehood agitation for the benefit of his family members. He also held KCR responsible for the suicides that took place for the Telangana cause.
Former Minister Kadiam Srihari said that the TDT Forum would meet in the next two days to decide the future course of action. (INN)
2011/10/10 1:04:18 RTC employees who were on strike for Telangana cause has agreed to withdraw from the general strike keeping in view of the problems facing by the people and the Government's appeal. RTC NM Union leader Mahmood and some other leaders have had a lengthy meeting with Transport minister Botsa Satyanarayana and RTC Managing Director Prasada Rao. Later, all of they have jointly made a press statement announcing RTC employees withdrawing from the general strike.
Mahmood said that the employees who fought until now have made many sacrifices for the Telangana cause and yet they are ready to fight for Telangana, whenever necessary. He said majority of the employees are votes to postpone their general strike. So, the union also takes decision accordingly.
Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy on Friday rejected the demand of textile traders for withdrawal of five percent Value Added Tax (VAT) imposed on textiles.
In a symbolic protest, Narayana and other CPI activists took out a rally to Indira Park by removing their shirts. Later, talking to reporters Narayana said that the continuation of VAT on textiles would put additional burden on the common man to the extent that they would not able to buy clothes.
Over two lakh textiles traders across the State began their nine-day bandh on Monday demanding lifting of five per cent Value Added Tax on textiles.
YSR Congress party president YS.Jagan Mohan Reddy who is right now is staging a dharna near RDO office in Narsaraopeta in Guntur district has promised the textile merchants to remove VAT Tax once he elected to power. Addressing a large gathering at Narsaraopeta Jagan said "The first paper I sign after assuming the office would be the GO abolishing VAT on the textiles. The Government has levied 5% VAT on the textiles without considering the 1.5lakhs cloth shops problems in the state. Each family has to carry a load of Rs.1400 with 5% VAT. This will force many to close their shops resulting in unemployment in the state. Andhra Pradesh is the only one state that collects 5% VAT on the textiles. The State Government is indulged in looting the public in the name of Taxes. This Government is not at all bothered about people's problems, but leaves no stone unturned to please Sonia Gandhi. If, it still ignores the merchants' demands our party is ready to fight on their behalf."
Handlooms and Textiles Minister Dr P Shankar Rao on Sunday expressed his ire over the unilateral decisions being taken by Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy without taking the Cabinet into confidence.
The Supreme Court on Monday directed the Pulivendula MLA Y S Vijayamma to withdraw her petition seeking transfer of the hearing on her petition against TDP President N Chandrababu Naidu in from AP High Court to any other HC.
The Telangana Political Joint Action Committee on Friday asked the State Government to withdraw the cases registered against the students who participated in the separate Telangana agitation.
Telugu Desam Party president N Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday appealed to the State Government to lift four percent value added tax imposed on textile traders.
Kollywood actress Sona's complaint against his son obliges SP. Bala Subrahmanyam to find some time out of his busy schedule to resolve the problem. According to reports, SPB who is embarrassed with his son Charan's issue is said to be talked to Sona, who is now in a private hospital in Chennai and appealed her to withdraw the case that she has filed against his son. He assured her that he will bring his son to her and tender apology personally but asked her not to insist for a public statement, which will tarnish his family reputation. It is learnt that, Sona also convinced with his appeal. Most probably, she may withdraw the case once he fulfills his promise.
Telangana Political Joint Action Committee chairman Prof M Kodandaram on Friday appealed to all pro-Telangana activists to participate in the convention being organized by the Bharatiya Janata Party at Nizam College Grounds on Saturday. The convention is being organised to mark the conclusion of 22 days Telangana Poruyatra in the Telangana districts.
The Telugu Desam Telangana Forum on Monday asked the Congress MPs from the region to withdraw support from the Congress-led UPA Government.
