The Hindu : Karnataka News : Merchants call for bandh on Thursday over local tax

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Karnataka

Karnataka

Merchants call for bandh on Thursday over local tax

Correspondent

Kolhapur Merchants Association and Vyapari Mahasangh will participate in the bandh

Kolhapur: Merchants, including the petroleum product dealers, have decided to observe a bandh on Thursday.

The bandh has been called to mark their protest against the local business tax (LBT) imposed by the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) after the abolition of the octroi.

Kolhapur Merchants Association and Vyapari Mahasangh will participate in the bandh along with transport operators in Kolhapur.

Support

The move is backed by traders and merchants in “D” grade municipal councils.

According to Atul Shaha, chief of the Mahasangh, all merchants coming under the limits of all municipal bodies in the State will participate in the bandh on Thursday. The merchants have been fighting against the LBT for the last few days with agitations and representations to people's representatives and ministers in the Cabinet.

Denial

Chief Minister Prithiviraj Chavan has denied any relief against the LBT which is needed for strengthening the finances of the local self-government bodies. The merchants argue that there was no need for LBT when VAT is levied. The merchants are thinking of a legal remedy.

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