BMC asks traders to withdraw stir
While agitation against the Local Body Tax (LBT) in the city has reached its peak, civic chief Sitaram Kunte has appealed to the traders to withdraw their stir and have a dialogue with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to frame the rules.
Speaking to reporters, he said, “The LBT is proposed to be introduced in Mumbai from October. For this, The Mumbai Municipal Act is required to be amended first. Drafting of the proposed amendments and rules governing the LBT is in process. Instead of agitating, the traders should come forward and share their grievances with us so that the BMC takes their views into consideration.”
According to the civic officials, the BMC has two rounds of deliberations with the representatives of traders on LBT. The major grievances of traders are about various issues like filing of returns and its assessment, the lower tax limit, simplification of forms, inclusion of traders outside the city and inspection of vehicles.
“All their grievances will be looked into while framing the rules. A committee has been constituted by the state government under the chairmanship of chief secretary for this,” said Mr Kunte.
After the amendments, the LBT draft will be sent to the urban development department and then to the Assembly for the approval before its implementation in the city, he added.
Civic officials admitted that the BMC’s Octroi collections have taken a hit due to the traders’ ongoing agitation. Everyday, the Octroi collections at five nakas in the city are about `12 crore. Ever since the agitation has started on April 22, the collections have reduced by `2-3 crore daily, said a civic official.
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