More Protests In Georgia Against Cash-Register Law

Georgian traders have been protesting against a government decision to make cash registers mandatory at all marketplaces since the law came into effect on March 1 (InterPressNews) March 15, 2006 -- Hundreds of Georgian traders demonstrated in front of the Georgian parliament's building today to demand that the government rescind a decision to require cash registers at all marketplaces.

This was the third such rally in less than a week. Georgia’s Rustavi-2 private television reports that smaller protests took place today also in Samtredia, Poti, Zugdidi, and Batumi.

Many opposition leaders attended the Tbilisi rally.

In a bid to curb tax evasion, the Georgian government has made cash registers mandatory at all markets since March 1 and has threatened to heavily fine all violators. Traders want expensive cash registers to be replaced with a lump monthly tax.

Prime Minister Zurab Noghaideli has ruled out any compromise on the issue and parliament today rejected a proposal made by the opposition to delay the implementation of the new trade regulations.

(Imedi TV, Rustavi-2, Novosti-Gruziya)