BHARAT BANDH: WHY CANNOT OPPOSITION RULED STATES REDUCE VAT.

The BJP and some other political parties have called for Bharat Bandh on 05-07-10 against price rise and for increase in prices of petroleum products. Assuming for the sake of argument, that Center's policies are flawed and the present UPA government is anti-poor. Among others, VAT constitute any where between 24 -33% of the petroleum product prices. VAT is a state subject and the respective state governments have the power and authority to slash the rate to zero level if they are so concerned about the common man,for whose sake the strike being called.
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