Pune: Traders in Pune, who were on strike for the last six days protesting imposition of new local body tax, today called off their stir after the Maharashtra government assured of amicable solution to the issue.
The traders will now hold meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on Monday to discuss the issue. Shops and business establishments were shut in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad, which were shut for nearly a week will open tomorrow.
The traders have, however, warned if no favourable decision is taken by the Chief Minister, they will again go on strike.
The Maharashtra government had last year announced introduction of Local Bodies Tax or LBT in various cities which will abolish octroi. Under LBT, the traders, manufacturers or owners of goods are required to pay up a lump sum amount within a specified period, designed to curb massive corrupt practices associated with octroi collection.
The LBT regime came into effect this fiscal (April 1) in municipalities of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kolhapur and Nagpur.
Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan said last month that this would considerably ease traffic movement at various check-posts. He also said that at least 20 civic bodies in the state have already implemented LBT and it has been found as working smoothly.
The move, however, irked traders who said there is no need to levy LBT since Value Added Tax or VAT already exists and the proposed general sales tax (GST) will cover all local levies.
The traders will now hold meeting with Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai on Monday to discuss the issue. Shops and business establishments were shut in Pune and neighbouring Pimpri-Chinchwad, which were shut for nearly a week will open tomorrow.
The traders have, however, warned if no favourable decision is taken by the Chief Minister, they will again go on strike.
The LBT regime came into effect this fiscal (April 1) in municipalities of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Kolhapur and Nagpur.
Advertisement
The move, however, irked traders who said there is no need to levy LBT since Value Added Tax or VAT already exists and the proposed general sales tax (GST) will cover all local levies.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
In Pune Road Rage, Man Who Assaulted Woman In Front Of Children Arrested "Anything Could Have Happened": Woman With 2 Kids Punched In Road Rage Case Video: Pune Couple Flung Into Air After Speeding Car Hits Their Bike Budget 2024 LIVE: Nirmala Sitharaman's Mega Jobs, Tax Announcements In Union Budget "Call Security": Chief Justice Blasts Lawyer, He Quotes Bible In Reply No NEET Re-Exam, Supreme Court Says "Can't Conclude Sanctity Breached" Modi 3.0 Budget: FM Sitharaman Inspires Optimism Among Youth For The 1st Time, Private Sector Allowed to Invest in Atomic Energy Vlogger's "Life Hack" To Clean Potatoes In Washing Machine Goes Viral Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.