Maharashtra traders protest over LBT
Updated: Jul 08, 2013 03:04:19pm
Mumbai, Jul 8 (KNN) Trade associations across the state of Maharashtra will observe a two day state wide bandh starting July-15 to protest against the imposition of local body tax (LBT) by the government.
LBT is the tax imposed by the local civic bodies of India on the entry of goods into local areas for consumption, use or sale. The tax is to be paid by the trader to the civic bodies, the rules and regulations of which vary from state to state within India. It supersedes the octroi and cess system of taxing.
The decision to hold the bandh was made by the Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM) at a conference held here yesterday, according to media reports.
In fact, traders in the state have also issued an ultimatum, asking political parties of the state to either scrap local body tax or lose their support.
In fact, traders in the state have also issued an ultimatum, asking political parties of the state to either scrap local body tax or lose their support.
"We tried all measures to fight against the implementation of the LBT in cities, but things have failed to change. Therefore, we have decided to pledge our support only to those political parties who raise our concerns in the assembly during the forthcoming session," said a media report quoting Member of Parliament and president of the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) Mohan Gurnani.
Traders feel that the government having cancelled Octroi has forced LBT on them, which they claim opens doors for corruption. They believe that government officers would benefit from the same and exploit traders.
However, traders are prepared to pay an additional one per cent more of professional tax instead of LBT.
In May, traders in various parts of Maharashtra including Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai and Thane held similar protests against the implementation of LBT. Only after Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan intervened and assured them of certain amendments like registration limit did they call off the strike.
The account-based LBT has been imposed in 25 of the 26 municipal corporations of the state. (KNN)
LBT is the tax imposed by the local civic bodies of India on the entry of goods into local areas for consumption, use or sale. The tax is to be paid by the trader to the civic bodies, the rules and regulations of which vary from state to state within India. It supersedes the octroi and cess system of taxing.
The decision to hold the bandh was made by the Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM) at a conference held here yesterday, according to media reports.
In fact, traders in the state have also issued an ultimatum, asking political parties of the state to either scrap local body tax or lose their support.
In fact, traders in the state have also issued an ultimatum, asking political parties of the state to either scrap local body tax or lose their support.
"We tried all measures to fight against the implementation of the LBT in cities, but things have failed to change. Therefore, we have decided to pledge our support only to those political parties who raise our concerns in the assembly during the forthcoming session," said a media report quoting Member of Parliament and president of the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) Mohan Gurnani.
Traders feel that the government having cancelled Octroi has forced LBT on them, which they claim opens doors for corruption. They believe that government officers would benefit from the same and exploit traders.
However, traders are prepared to pay an additional one per cent more of professional tax instead of LBT.
In May, traders in various parts of Maharashtra including Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai and Thane held similar protests against the implementation of LBT. Only after Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan intervened and assured them of certain amendments like registration limit did they call off the strike.
The account-based LBT has been imposed in 25 of the 26 municipal corporations of the state. (KNN)
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