'Budget not friendly to small traders'

The Alliance of Market Association (AMA), Karachi, has criticised the budget 2004-05 for not being friendly to small traders/businessmen.
Commenting on the budget, AMA chairman Ateeq Meer said that the budget did not provide any considerable relief or major incentives to small and medium traders, instead it was only a reflection of the aspiration of big investors, business tycoons and landlords.
He alleged that the small traders and businessmen were totally neglected in the budget, who were not provided any incentive.
He was of the view that increase in the limit if taxable income up to Rs100,000 was unrealistic, while the rate of General Sales Tax (GST) at 15 percent was not concurrent with the local business environment of the country due which, despite 3 percent exemption in further tax for non-registered traders, no improvement was expected.
He observed that neither 10-paisa reduction in electricity tariff was adequate nor any cut was made in the price essential commodities.
He further opined that instead of providing a heavy subsidy of Rs 29 billion to the KESC for its dismal performance, this amount should have been spent for promoting power generation in the private sector.
He alleged that the budget was merely the dictation of international donor agencies and it was for this reason that the major chunk of it was allocated for repayment of their loans and interests on it.