Small businesses seek waiver of commercial tax

BENGALURU: Small business owners, including bakeries, tea stalls, condiment stores and vegetable vendors, have received notices for taxes to the tune of lakhs of rupees, sparking widespread outrage. The business owners have appealed to the government to waive the taxes, threatening to shut down their businesses if their demands are not met.

The business owners have given the government a 10-day ultimatum to resolve the issue, failing which they will observe a statewide bandh on July 25. They are worried about the financial burden of paying such huge taxes and have requested the government to revoke the tax notices.

The government has assured the shop owners that it will convene a meeting with tax officials to discuss the issue. The shop owners are demanding a complete waiver of taxes, and if their demands are not met, they will take to the streets to protest.

The issue has already caused concern among small traders in Bengaluru, who are worried about the financial implications of paying such huge taxes. The situation remains tense, and it remains to be seen how the government will address the concerns of the shop owners.

Ravi Shetty of Karmika Parishat, said, “The Commercial Tax Department did not issue prior notice to small business owners. The department should withdraw the notice and the court should dismiss the order. This is very sad. Small shop owners are not able to pay that huge amount. They are just struggling to pay school fees and run their livelihood. If the government does not withdraw the notices, condiments and bakery owners will stage a protest on July 25 and we expect a  huge number of protesters. The shops will stop supplying necessary items one after another”.