Guwahati, April 8: Non-Assam silk products will now become dearer in Assam as the state government has imposed a two per cent entry tax on these items.

The move is the result of the ongoing verification drive in the silk town of Sualkuchi, 35km from here, by the Kamrup district administration to check how many traders were dealing in Benarasi silk products. The drive has revealed that the traders dealing in these products were allegedly evading entry tax.

The checks followed violent protests over the sale of Benarasi silk products as those from Sualkuchi on March 31 and April 1, resulting in imposition of curfew in the silk town. Local weavers and traders said the continuance of the trade would not only adversely impact Brand Sualkuchi but would also affect the livelihood of over 25,000 people engaged in the trade. Benarasi silk products are cheaper than those from Sualkuchi.

Kamrup deputy commissioner S.K. Roy told The Telegraph that during checks a squad comprising personnel from the handloom and sales tax department carried out over the past few days in Sulakuchi, fines of Rs 1.6 lakh had been imposed and Benarasi silk products worth Rs 22 lakh had been seized.

“During verification of goods and bills, it was found that the traders/shopkeepers had not paid sales tax. The handloom department has seized the goods, which will be released once official formalities are completed,” Roy said, clarifying there was no ban on the sale of such products.

The handloom and textiles department has ordered similar checks across the state.

A senior tax department official told this correspondent that non-Assam silk products would now attract an entry tax of two per cent. “After the Sualkuchi incident, we have instructed all districts to ensure there was no tax evasion,” he said.

Kushal Medhi, a leading trader from Sualkuchi having outlets in Tinsukia and Guwahati, said, “We were not aware about any such taxes. If we have to pay, we will pay. Non-Assam silk products will now become dearer as we will pass on the burden to the consumer. Prices will go up by Rs 120 to Rs 200 for products priced between Rs 3,000 and Rs 5,000,” he said.

In a related development, the Assam Human Rights Commission (AHRC) has asked Dispur to conduct an inquiry into the police excesses on Sualkuchi protesters. The rights panel, in a statement issued today, directed the Assam chief secretary to conduct the probe by an official not below the rank of additional chief secretary and submit the report within 30 days from the date of receipt of the order.