OAC threatens agitation for octroi abolition

Mumbai, Sept 3: The Octroi Abolition Committee (OAC) has threatened to launch a sustained agitation if octroi is not abolished by September 30.

This was decided at a meeting of the OAC here yesterday which was attended by traders, industrialists, transporters and consumers from 22 municipal corporation areas in Maharashtra.

OAC president Eknath Thakur told sources that when VAT was to be introduced, the State Finance Minister had assured that all other taxes would be abolished. The government, however, has not been able to come up with an alternative for octroi even after 40 years, he said.

With civic elections round the corner, it was decided at the meet that traders, industrialists, transporters and consumers should take appropriate decision regarding support to political parties in view of the octroi abolition stand-off.

It was suggested at the meeting that ''rail'' and ''rasta rokos'' should be organised and ministers ''gheraoed'' to press for octroi abolition, Mr Thakur said, adding the meeting suggested that the protest be launched from Gandhi Jayanti day.

It was also decided at the meeting to write to Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, and other prominent leaders in this regard.

UNI