As many as 91 goods, including tea, edible oils,milk products, match boxes and readymade garments, have become cheaper in Uttar Pradesh following the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) regime which comes into effect from Tuesday.
Expressing confidence that this will play an important role in the development of industry and commerce in the state, chief minister Mayawati said that keeping in view the needs of the common man, tax rate on 91 items has been reduced in VAT. The tax applicable on kerosene oil distributed under the public distribution has been reduced to 4% from 10%. Tax on all milk products, medicines, bicycles and match boxes have been reduced from 8% to 4%.
Traditional chikan clothes, Banarasi sarees as well as clothes prepared from handloom have been totally exempted from tax.
Pens, computers, computer stationary ?the items use by students have also been provided a tax exemption. Bangles, vermilion (sindoor) and bindi have also been made tax-free. The tax applicable on sewing machine has been reduced to 4% from 10%.