Daijiworld News Network - Mangalore (AF)

Mangalore, Dec 11: A delegation consisting of members of All-India Bidi Workers' Association led by KPCC member and corporator Naveen D'Souza met union labour minister Oscar Fernandes to urge the government to revoke VAT on bidi industry.

A press release stated that the government had wrongly considered bidi as a machine-made product and hence introduced VAT.

The delegation with union ministers Oscar Fernandes and Praful Patel

The delegation presented the difficulties encountered by workers in the bidi industry and the problems that would arise if the industry were to be closed.

Fernandes held talks with Union health minister Anbumani Ramdos, minister of state Panabakka Lakshmi and Union aviation minister Praful Patel regarding the issue.

Later, the delegation along with Fernandes discussed the matter with Union finance minister Chidambaram and union minister of state for finance Palani Manikya and urged them to consider bidi as a hand-made product instead of machine-made.

Oscar Fernandes assured the delegation of full support in making the government revoke the order, the release stated.