Gujarat traders to intensify stir against octroi

Rajkot, May 29 (UNI) Traders here have decided to intensify their agitation against octroi.

The traders are demanding immediate abolition of octroi since VAT has already been implemented by the government.

Over 200 traders had assembled at Trikonbaug here to press for their demand. The traders propose to keep their shops open till late night today in contravention of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) Shops Act. They propose to assemble at RMC on Thursday and demand a refund of VAT collected since April 2006.

Rajkot Greater Chamber of Commerce chief Dhansukhbhai Vora and Rajkot Engineering Association president Bhavesh Patel told UNI that traders will hold a meeting this evening to chart out a common line of action against octroi.

The state government should abolish octroi by May 31, failing which the traders will decide their future course of action, they said.

Meanwhile, Rajkot mayor Dhansukhbhai Bhanderi told UNI that the government has invited the Rajkot Chamber of Commerce to sort out the octroi issue and a meeting is slated in Gandhinagar. ''We are trying to find an alternate solution to octroi,'' Mr Bhanderi said.

UNI