Kolhapur traders oppose cess system

Kolhapur, Nov 9 (UNI) The new cess, being imposed by the Maharashtra government instead of the octroi duty on ''D'' category municipal corporations with effect from November 2, has spread a wave of discontent here.

At least 58 traders from different organisations have come together and threatened to shift their business outside the city limits, if the cess is levied.

Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Anant Mane, talking to UNI here today, said the State Government has introduced the cess duty without taking problems of traders into consideration and despite of the earlier assurance. Hence, the traders have launched the agitation.

He said the common man is already facing serious problems due to the rising prices of essential commodities, and charged that the cess will lead to further hike of prices.

In the new cess system, 94 items will be levied with duties ranging from one to seven per cent of the price of commodity, which is not acceptable by the traders as the Government has imposed only a one per cent cess in the Navi Mumbai Corporation, Mr Mane said.

''Traders have denied to fill the registration forms for the new process, the last date for which is November 20, unless the issue is sorted out,'' he added.

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