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APMC traders and commission agents in Karnataka have made a pitch for uniform market fee across the country on the lines of goods and services tax (GST) introduced last year.
At a seminar organised by the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, trader representatives also called for a reduction market cess in the State, which is highest when compared with the neighbouring states.
They want the market fee reduced to 0.5 per cent from the present 1.5 per cent. The high market cess is resulting in a flight of trade to other States such as Maharashtra, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Karnataka, at present earns a revenue of Rs 400 crore through the market fee collections. If the fee is reduced to 0.5 per cent, the market fee collection would rise multi-fold on higher compliance, they felt. Besides, traders also demanded that the State improve infrastructure at the marketyards, several of which even lack basic amenities such as drinking water and toilets among others. They also want the Government to streamline various procedures to avail trading licences and leverage technology to minimise the interface between the department concerned and the trade.
They also wanted the 2 per cent commission fee to be hiked to four per cent.
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