Agra Shoe Factors Federation was on strike following the recent circular of Central Board of Excise and Customs to mention maximum retail price (MRP) on shoe packets.
However, small-scale shoe manufacturers are in different mood and they opposed this decision and ready for any consequences.
If manufacturers do not indicate MRP on packets, excise department will seize those shoes and will be released only on payment of 40 percent additional duty.
This decision will not harm to the large scale shoe manufacturers as they produce mainly for export purpose but small scale manufacturers are at loss, informed Raj Kumar Sama, President of Agra Shoe Factors Federation.
Generally, retailers provide as much as 50 percent discount on shoes, but if they indicate MRP on packets their profit margin would be very negligible, Raj Kumar stated.
Relief has also been given in this circular as Yashovardhan Pathak, Assistant Commissioner, Central Excise for Agra region said that cottage industry was kept outside of this norm.
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