Jammu :  On the 2ndanniversary of GST implementation in Jammu and Kashmir, a large number of tradersunder the banner of  Traders FederationWare House/Nehru Market Jammu, held massive protest demonstration in demand ofabolition of Lakhanpur Toll Tax. The protest was held under the leadershipof  Federation President Sh. Rattan LalGupta and General Secretary Sh. Deepak Gupta, who along with other traders alsosat on dharna in front of Main Gate of Ware House.

Expressing strong resentment over non-abolition of Toll Taxat Lakhanpur, despite implementation of GST (Goods and Services Tax) from 08July 2017 in the State, the traders has reiterated its demand to abolish TollTax at Lakhanpur. Sh. Deepak Gupta, general secretary of Traders Federationsaid that GST was introduced with the slogan of ‘One Nation One Tax’. He regrettedthat it did not see the light of the day in the state of Jammu & Kashmireven after two years.

"The state government is imposing toll tax on goods atLakhanpur entry point into J&K despite imposition of GST. This is simplydouble taxation," said Deepak Gupta. "In case of non-abolition oftoll tax, the trading community will be forced to come to the roads," hesaid.

Even after 08 July 2017, when the GST was rolled out in thestate, authorities at Lakanpur have been imposing toll tax on goods carried intrucks to Jammu and Kashmir. "We had totally supported the J&K governmentdraft on the GST with all special powers intact only on the assumption thattoll tax on goods shall be kept away from the purview of powers enjoyed underSection 5 of the J&K's Constitution. But our hopes have been belied,"he said.

He said that Rs 800-900 crores on the name of State Toll Taxis being collected at Lakhanpur, which at the end of the day is being paid by thecommon man living in the State. “Collection of State Toll Tax at Lakhanpur hasresulted in huge increase of transportation cost, hardship to drivers andcleaners, inflation and above all a den of corruption,” he said. He said it isthe common man who is bearing the brunt of any such taxes levied in addition tothe GST. He said that toll tax on some items like edible oil, almonds and otherconsumable items at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza resulting in price hike.

He sought immediate closure of the Lakhanpur Toll Plaza inthe interest of the common masses. He said that any additional levies and cessin J&K in addition to GST making essential commodities costlier which cannot tolerated be by the common man.

The trader fraternity appealed Governor Satya Pal Malik totake the matter seriously and asked the concerned department to stop toll tax onall items at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza immediately.

Sh. Dheeraj Gupta, Sr.Vc.President Traders Federation WareHouse-Nehru Market, Sh. Munish Mahajan, Vc.President, Sh. Abhimanyu Gupta, Secretary,Sh. Vishal Gupta, Cashier and Sh. Kirti Gupta, Sh. Rajesh Bagotra, Sh. AtulKhanna, Sh. Om Parkash Gupta, Sh. Sham Lal Gupta, Sh. GS Kohli, Sh. RomeshChander Gupta, Sh. Vijay Gupta, Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Sh. Raju Gupta and Sh. AnilGupta were also present in the said Protest.