Nagpur News : A meeting was called by Congress & NCP with the trade representatives of various Associations at Pune today which was attended by Dipen Agrawal President NVCC representing Vidarbha traders along with Mohan Gurnani President FAM , Office bearers of FAM & representatives of associations from Pune, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kolhapur, Solhapur, Vasai Virar, Sangli were LBT has been imposed to address the grievances & annoyance of traders pertaining to LBT.
Prithviraj Chavan CM, Sharad Pawar, Ajit Pawar, Patangrao Kadam, Harshvardhan Patil , Nitin Raut, Smt Supriya Sule, Mohan Joshi, Ulhas Pawar, Vishwajeet Kadam , Rahul Narvekar attended the meeting.
Dipen Agrawal President NVCC while addressing the meeting said the traders of state are pained agitated & angered with the state govt for imposing LBT as they do not expect sops from political parties in the election year but if the state govt feels that they can impose a new tax regime against their wishes and get away with it then they are mistaken.
He further said while LBT was being implemented at Nagpur it was a fear that it may give rise to corruption , inspector raj , harassment & litigation and now this fear has converted to reality inspite of the best & sincere efforts by honorable CM by making various amendments in rule & regulations of LBT there have been various raids & notices issued to almost 7000 traders resulting a fear grip in markets and giving rise to inspector raj harrasment & corruption .
Another major concern with imposition of LBT is the shortfall in revenue which is on expected lines. He appealed to CM & Pawar saheb to save the situation for traders by withdrawal of LBT and as an alternate to Octroi & LBT accept & implement MEDC report.
Smt Sule said traders are an important section of society which can’t be ignored they are job creators & unemployment is a major concern of the country as a result she and her party shall always side with traders & specially in the matter of LBT and she would personally along with Pawar saheb see to it that after model code is over a definite decision is taken in the matter.
Vishwajeet Kadam apologized on behalf of the party for not finding an unanimous solution to the issue earlier assured the representatives of trade that the party firmly stands with the traders & unless an acceptable solution is reached in the matter of LBT he shall not rest in peace.
Prithviraj Chavan Honorable CM after giving a patient hearing concluded that due to enforcement of model code of conduct he can’t make a commitment or announcement now but he is aware of the resentment of traders because of LBT & he is not rigid or adamant on the issue he further added that he has gone through the MEDC report on Alternates to Octroi & Lbt prepared by Subodh Kumar & Chandra Shekar Prabhu. He assured that he & congress party & ncp is very much with the traders and after the model code of conduct is over on say around 26th May we shall sit together again and definitely come to conclusive decision in the matter.
The meeting was conducted by Mohan Joshi MLC from Pune. States in a press note issued by Hemant Gandhi, Hon Secretary of the Chamber.
