The Uttar Pradesh government is all set to roll out GST from Saturday even as the traders' organisations remained adamant on their decision to continue their protest.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked his Cabinet colleagues to persuade the traders and business organisations to call off their protests.
The ministers on Thursday held parleys with the representatives of the traders' associations in different parts in their attempt to ensure a smooth implementation of the GST. "We are certain that traders, both big and small, will realise that GST will bring them large-scale benefits,'' Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma said here on Thursday.
He said that the government was ready to discuss the issues raised by the traders' bodies and remove all their concerns in this regard. The traders, however, remained unconvinced.
''GST is aimed at benefiting only the big corporate houses...it will have a serious impact on the small and middle-level business organisations,'' said Ashok Motiyani.
The traders also said that they had very little knowledge about the provisions of GST. ''Hardly a few traders know in detail about GST....a confusion of sorts prevails among the business community,'' said another trader here.
They have demanded to make the trading in chikan (a speciality of Lucknow) tax-free as it was already in a very bad shape.
They have also demanded reduction in tax on stationery products and ready-made garments. Another trader said: ''GST has conferred a lot of rights on the inspectors...this will only increase exploitation of the traders."
Traders in several parts of the state have given a call for 'bandh' on Friday to register their protest. ''Our protests will continue until our legitimate demands are met,'' said an office-bearer of the local traders' association.
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