The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Chamber hails rollback

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 20, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Chamber hails rollback

By Our Staff Reporter

MADURAI, MAY 19. The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has hailed the announcements made by the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, on rollbacks, repealing of controversial legislations, dropping of cases against government employees and withdrawal of cases against political leaders and the media. The chamber has requested the Government to constitute a high-level advisory committee to look into the problems faced by trade and industry.

In a press statement here today, the president, S. Rethinavelu, said the Chief Minister had met the demands of various sections on a single day ``and we hope the demands of trade and industrial bodies will also be met''. He called for withdrawal of the levy of one per cent tax on resale implemented in the State from July 2002, since it affected small traders. The chamber also sought tax exemption for essential commodities, which would provide succour to the small scale sector.

The Chief Minister's measures were also welcomed by the Tamil Nadu Food Grains Merchants Association, which, in a press release said the steps taken were in the larger interest of the general public. The withdrawal of `H' cards in the public distribution system, distribution of rice without coupons and resumption of issue of ration cards to the people were some of the issues which people were longing for quite sometime now.

Similarly, providing free power to farmers and hut dwellers also needed to be appreciated, the release said. The association, V. Dhanasekaran, also commended the decision to provide free and concessional rate bus passes to students and also reintroduction of egg in the noon meal programme. The announcement of withdrawal of disciplinary proceedings against government servants and teachers as also on many political leaders was a step to provide solace, he said.

Further, the association appealed to the Chief Minister to scrap sales tax on essential commodities like pulses, edible oils etc. A request was also made for withdrawal of resale tax in the State.

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