July 17, 2002	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 6, 1423

ISLAMABAD, July 16: In a bid to sort out the irritants, the federal government on Wednesday invited Pakistan Vanaspati Manufacturer’s Association (PVMA) for a meeting.

PVMA announced on Monday last the closing down of all vegetable ghee and cooking oil mills and supply to markets from Wednesday against levy of taxes and payment by buyers through banks.

Official sources told Dawn that the meeting to be chaired by Federal Finance Minister, Shaukat Aziz and would attend among others by secretary industries, chairman and members Central Board of Revenue (CBR).

According to the officials, government is likely to consider the genuine proposals of PVMA.

The government in the budget 2002-03 had imposed 15 per cent GST on vegetable ghee and cooking oil at manufacturing stage, while the rate of GST was increased from 15 per cent to 20 per cent on edible oils at import stage.