NEW DELHI, 31 March 2005 — Shops across India shut yesterday to protest next month’s launch of a nationwide Value Added Tax (VAT) aimed at boosting revenues for states and the federal government. Gasoline station owners held a one-day shutdown yesterday while other businesses such as food markets and goods shops plan a three-day strike. “At least 5,000 trade unions are supporting our strike,” said Praveen Khandelwal, secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders. “Shopkeepers, traders, wholesale agents across the country will stay at home for three days. We had no choice but to strike to raise our legitimate concerns regarding VAT which will force us to pay more taxes,” he added.
