Vegetable traders outrage against impose of VAT in potatoes and onions

Kathmandu: Vegetable traders have become furious against the government for imposing Value Added Tax (VAT) on potatoes and onions.

The traders became furious after the government imposed a tax on the potatoes and onions grown in Nepal. The government had decided to impose a tax on imported potatoes and onions from the current fiscal year 2080-2081. But, the imposition on home products has made the farmers furious.

Kalimati Vegetable and Fruit Development Committee Information Officer Vinay Shrestha said that there was an unavailability of potatoes and onions as the vegetable traders went on strike with the imposition of tax.

There are no potatoes and onions in the market, which has led to the stalls of vegetables, for the past 2-3 days as per Shrestha.

‘I have heard the complaint that potatoes and onions are not brought to the market due to imposition of VAT. Vegetable traders have become furious, ‘ said Shrestha, ‘The stalls of potatoes and onions are vacant. The distribution of potatoes and onions is not being distributed at wholesale price.’

The furious vegetable traders halted the supply of onions and potatoes in the market. This has created a shortage of potatoes and onions in the market.

General Secretary of Potato and Onion Traders Association Prakash Gajurel said that the imposition of VAT made it difficult to trade the goods. ‘We have not stopped the business but have shut it down for a short period,’ Gajurel said, ‘We are not doing business because the government not only imposed VAT on imported but also on domestic products.’