Tuesday, February 22 2005 11:59 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: : With a nationwide trade bandh observed yesterday (Feb 21, 2005) against Value added tax (VAT), the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) in West Bengal said that its implementation from April 1 would be on an experimental basis for a year in the State after which it would be reviewed by the Government.

"We will implement VAT on an experimental basis, which will be reviewed after one year," the CPM State secretary Anil Biswas said in Kolkata.

The Centre has proposed to impose VAT, which would replace the multi-point sales tax across the country.

The idea to impose VAT was mooted by a high level empowered committee consisting the Finance Ministers of all States, where West Bengal Finance Minister, Ashim Dasgupta was appointed the chairman.