The Pakistan Cotton Ginners Association (PCGA) has decided to stop the purchase of seed-cotton (phutti) from August 6 as protest against the levy of 3.5 percent withholding tax. Presiding over a general body meeting here on Friday afternoon, PCGA Chairman Masood A Majeed said that though the government had announced that it did not impose any tax on the farmers; the fact is other way round.
He said that 3.5 percent withholding tax on the beoparis/middlemen/arhtis is in fact on the farmers because these people would not pay this tax from their own pocket. Expressing solidarity with the farmers, the Pakistan cotton ginners have protested on this levy.because ginners cannot deduct this tax from the beoparis/brokers nor they can deposit this amount in the banks on daily basis. PCGA chairman said that Pakistan was getting bumper crop after 20 years and its fruit should reach all stakeholders, particularly farmers.
"We reject the frequently changing tax policies and appeal to the government to introduce a tax policy at least for five years. He said that "it is our business right to refuse to accept/procure phutti", which may create trouble for them. PCGA chairman said that "we are neither trade union nor students body to give a strike call. However we are registering our protest against the unjust decision of the government".
The meeting was also addressed by Vice chairman (North) Shehzad Ali Khan, Ex-Chairmen Muhammad Akram, Muhammad Saeed, Aman-ullah Qureshi, Mukhtar Ahmed Khan Baloch, Akhlaq Ahmed, Hafeeznwar, Farooq Ahmed, and Ghulam Mustafa Khandwa. Mahesh Kumar Ex-Vice chairman from Sindh on the behalf of Sindh body announced to stop the purchase of Phutti. Khalid Hanif Lodhi assured to convey their sentiments and reservations to Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.
Comments
Comments are closed for this article.