Traders demand Internet facility at Sales Tax Dept

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 4

Even as repeated appeals of traders seeking restoration of the Internet are yet to find favour, they have now urged the government to at least restore broadband service at the Commercial and Sales Tax Department for filing of GST returns.

“We have been asking the government to restore the Internet but unfortunately, there has not been any positive response. We appeal to the government to at least restore broadband at the Commercial and Sales Tax Department and start a helpline for traders for filing GST returns. We have not been able to file returns for the past four months,” said Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA) vice-chairman Aijaz Shahdhar.

He said traders were unable to import goods and the Internet gag was adding to the losses suffered by them since August 5 in the wake of abrogation of Article 370 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

“We are unable to bring goods from outside the Valley as we are asked for a receipt of filing of GST returns. Some traders even travel to New Delhi to file returns but that is not possible for every businessman. Inability to file returns has added to the miseries of businessmen,” he said.