Maharashtra traders agree to call off LBT strike

Section of traders in Maharashtra on Monday night agreed to call off their prolonged agitation protest against the Local Body Tax after a meeting with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan in Mumbai.

Chavan held lengthy discussions with traders, which ended late Monday evening, after which some of the participants at the meeting announced that the traders would be calling off the stir.

"Traders in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai and Thane have announced that they are calling off the stir, following discussions with the CM," an official spokesperson said.

Chavan assured traders that necessary amendments would be made in provisions like registration limit, he said.

"The LBT tangle has been resolved. We congratulate the Chief Minister for his role," Congress leader from Pune, Mohan Joshi, told reporters.

"The agitation was on for the last 20-22 days against the adverse stipulations for implementation of LBT. Now, the issue has been resolved," he said.

Earlier on Monday, Chief Secretary Jayant Banthia also held a meeting over the LBT issue.

The state government had indicated that it might agree to some of the traders' demands.

The account-based LBT, which replaces octroi, has been levied in 25 of the 26 municipal corporations in the state.

An issue that was discussed at Monday’s meet was appointing serving and retired sales tax officials on deputation in municipal bodies to assess the LBT as they were familiar with the taxation system.

Image: Traders in Mumbai suburb Santa Cruz protest against LBT earlier on Monday

Photograph: Sahil Salve