Deshmukh reiterates abolition of Octroi in Mah

Mumbai, Sept 7 (UNI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh today said his government would consider the formula mooted by prime industrial body, Indian Merchants' Chamber, on the octroi abolition in the state before taking any decision on the issue.

Speaking as chief guest at the felicitation function of the IMC's past Presidents, which was part of the Chambers' on-going Centenary celebrations, held at the Y B Chavan Auditorium here today, Mr Deshmukh said the Chambers' long-pending demand of octroi abolition would soon be met.

The Chief Minister also assured the Chamber that the much-awaited legislation on the repealing of Urban Land Ceiling would be introduced in the winter session of the State Assembly at Nagpur.

''I am aware of the issue. I must assure you that the state is committed to repeal the law'', the Chief Minister said.

Mr Deshmukh said state's information techunology capital, Pune would be developed into the 'Detroit of India.'' He said with a number of big-ticket projects lined up in the state, including 110 proposed Special Economic Zones, a passenger and cargo hub at Nagpur and four laning of highways connecting Mumbai with Nashik, Pune and Aurangabad under the Centre's Golden Quadrilateral projects, Maharashtra was all set to become the 'hope of India, a dream envisaged by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

UNI