CII urges Gujarat Govt to abolish octroi

Ahmedabad, July 10 (UNI) The Gujarat Government should consider removal of octroi under the present VAT regime to give a boost to trade and industry in the State, Gujarat Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry urged today.

CII's Taxation Panel convenor Naishad Parikh said as octroi is a major revenue generating tool, and revenue generated from it is utilised for urban development purposes, the Government may find it difficult to abolish it altogether.

''Special work groups are studying the issue and will suggest a viable alternative, which will replace it. We will place the plan before the Government,'' he said at a press conference.

Chetan Tamboli, president of CII Gujarat Council, informed that the trade body has planned four road shows to garner investment -- two in India and two abroad. Chief Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the same, he said.

China, Singapore, Paris, UK and USA are among the destinations being considered for the road shows. The CII is also sending a mission to China to organise a chemicals meet. It will also be holding a ''Made in India'' show in the last week of September in China.

He said while ''Agri Fare 2006'' for agro and food processing industries will be organised in November, other conclaves on manufacturing, brand building, energy convergence, medical tourism and the BPO summit are also on anvil.

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