Kakashi
08-10-2006, 10:50 PM
After years of lobbying with the state government, trade associations in Maharashtra are finally scenting success. Government officials who met the trade representatives today said the government is committed to abolish octroi in the state by month end.
On August 3, several industry association members including Tait met the state government to bring a new turn to the octroi policy of Maharashtra. The trade associations at the meeting included representatives from the transport and pharmaceuticals, among others.
Tait, who was representing the IT industry, has been asking for the abolition of octroi for years now. Umang Mehta, spokesperson of Tait, said, "Everybody agreed that octroi had to go. The main point of discussion was to find a solution to compensate the revenue loss. Some suggestions included adding a surcharge of 10 percent is welcome or even diverting the professional tax or property tax to the municipalities."
Mehta added, "The new implementation will see some hike across the board, but still the channel is willing to pay 4.4 percent VAT including the surcharge or hiked professional taxes. The 10 percent surplus on VAT would be the decision of the Centre though."
According to Mehta, the state's State Urban Development Minister assured the representatives that the government would take up the issue and hold a meeting within two weeks with the Chief Minister to address the issue.
The official announcement on the octroi issue is expected by August 30. Incidentally, Punjab has abolished octroi two weeks back and has not levied any taxes yet. Maharashtra too intends to follow suit, said Mehta.
:D :D :D !!
On August 3, several industry association members including Tait met the state government to bring a new turn to the octroi policy of Maharashtra. The trade associations at the meeting included representatives from the transport and pharmaceuticals, among others.
Tait, who was representing the IT industry, has been asking for the abolition of octroi for years now. Umang Mehta, spokesperson of Tait, said, "Everybody agreed that octroi had to go. The main point of discussion was to find a solution to compensate the revenue loss. Some suggestions included adding a surcharge of 10 percent is welcome or even diverting the professional tax or property tax to the municipalities."
Mehta added, "The new implementation will see some hike across the board, but still the channel is willing to pay 4.4 percent VAT including the surcharge or hiked professional taxes. The 10 percent surplus on VAT would be the decision of the Centre though."
According to Mehta, the state's State Urban Development Minister assured the representatives that the government would take up the issue and hold a meeting within two weeks with the Chief Minister to address the issue.
The official announcement on the octroi issue is expected by August 30. Incidentally, Punjab has abolished octroi two weeks back and has not levied any taxes yet. Maharashtra too intends to follow suit, said Mehta.
:D :D :D !!