CMA wants deduction in cement tax

Cement Manufacturers Association (CMA) has urged the government to bring down the overall tax on cement by 20-25 per cent, in a pre-Budget representation. The industry body said that taxes for cement waiver around 60 per cent, while coal and steel have lower tax rates. It suggested a rate cut of 6-8 per cent by doing away duty-free imports and levying custom duty on cement. The tax structure has to be simplified to either a specific rate per tonne or ad valorem without relating to retail price.