LAHORE: Flour mills across the country Thursday started their two-day strike under the banner of Pakistan Flour Mills Association (PFMA) to protest against increase in turnover tax on mills and GST levy on bran, a by-product of the industry.
Over 1,500 flour mills across Pakistan halted washing of wheat grain on Wednesday besides putting locks on the gates of
mills and hanging
banners announcing the strike in favour of their demands.
As a result of stoppage of washing, there was no grinding of wheat and consequently no supply of flour to the market.
PFMA Punjab Chairman Asim Raza Ahmad said that their central leadership held rounds of negotiation with the government and the Federal Bureau of Revenue (FBR) representatives. He claimed that government side announced to reverse the increase in turn over tax and said that levy of GST on bran was an error which would be redressed.
He said they were waiting for the proper and clear announcement by
the government in this regard.
The association had announced to observe strike on June 24 & 25, against what they said unjustifiable increase in turn over tax and levy of GST on bran. PFMA Central Chairman Badruddin Kakkar and Punjab Chairman Asim Raza Ahmad had announced this decision in a joint press conference two days ago.
They termed the increase in turn over tax and levy of GST on bran as unjustifiable which will increase the flour price by Rs 5 per kilogram and add Rs 100 per 20 kgs bag.
They said their two-day strike is a token protest aimed at pressing the government to withdraw the fresh taxes.
Even if our token protest fail to convince the government then we convene a meeting on June 30 and announce an indefinite closure of our operations, they warned.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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