Traders on strike till May 10 in Raj agri mandis against 2pc charge

Traders in more than 245 mandis across Rajasthan have gone on strike until May 10 to press for reversal of 2 per cent Krishak Kalyan charge levied by the state government on the purchase and sale of agricultural goods, a traders' body said on Thursday.

The Rajasthan government on Wednesday imposed a 2 per cent charge on all agricultural purchase and sale in mandis for financing the Rs 1,000 crore Farmers' Welfare Fund.

Rajasthan Khadya Vyapar Sangh Chairman Babulal Gupta said traders have gone on strike from Thursday to protest against the charge and the stir will continue until May 10.

Gupta claimed that the tax will only let tax evaders flourish and ultimately the burden will come on consumers.

Principal Secretary (Agriculture) Nareshpal Gangwar said that the charge will not be borne by farmers and traders, and the fund will only be used for the welfare of farmers.

He said that Mandi charges on notified agricultural commodities in the state are in the range of 0.01 per cent to 1.60