Besides, exemption has also been given to producers of domestic salt. Agariyas (salt workers), however, say their lives would now be under the thumb of the salt inspector, and they will not be able to prepare accounts, as they are mostly illiterate.

The salt-panners' association has demanded total rollback on the VAT on salt comparing it with the tax imposed by British Raj. A press statement issued by finance minister Saurabh Patel said that the state government has decided to exempt small salt panners from the 5% VAT announced in the budget for the current fiscal.

"The state government has decided to give exemption from paying 5% VAT on salt produced by salt producers owning plots of 10 acre or less. Besides, the salt pan workers who have been given land on lease by the state government will also be exempted," said the statement.

Salt pan workers who are selling salt only for domestic purpose will also be exempted, reads the statement.