Udupi; Feb 21: State Government, in a recently presented budget proposed to apply 5.5% Value Added Tax (VAT) on alcohol selling in bar,restaurant,city club, lodge and star hotels with effect from March 01.
Addressing the press reporters in the press meet, B.Govindaraja Hegde, General Secretary of Karnataka Federation of Wine Merchants Association said in his address that if this decision is not withdrawn by the government, a statewide protest will be organized.
He further said that without reacting to none of their demands, government has imposed only the burden of VAT. On Feb 03, the detailed demands of wine merchants were given in the pre-budget meeting held in front of excise minister in Assembly. On Feb 20, a memorandum was submitted to excise minister Satish Jarakihole and Panchayatraj rural development officer H.K.Patil by the owners of all the bars and restaurants in the state.
Jayarama Shetty,Janardhan,Kamalesh Beeji,Shodhan Kumar Shetty,Manohara Shetty,Subhaschandra Hegde,Naveen Kumar, Arun Kumar,Kaup Gangadhara Suvarna of the association were present.
