LBT not to be imposed hurriedly in Mumbai: Maha CM tells FAM

CM says government would take its own time since the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was not yet ready to implement LBT

Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan today assured the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra (FAM) that the state government would not impose the LBT (Local Body Tax) in Mumbai hurriedly.

• Stir against LBT to continue, says FAM

In a telephonic conversation with FAM president Mohan Gurnani, Chavan said, it has been decided not to impose LBT in Mumbai in a hasty manner and the government would take its own time since the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was not yet ready to implement LBT, a FAM statement said.

• What is LBT and why Maharashtra traders are against it

Gurnani said that the FAM has been invited to join the meeting with the chief Minister on May 23 to discuss various issues related to the new tax.

However, FAM has agreed to meet Chavan on the May 24 meeting organised by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

• M'rashtra to change BMC Act for LBT with relaxed draft

Maharashtra government had earlier said it would impose LBT in lieu of octroi from April 1 this year across Maharashtra and from October 1 in Mumbai city. There was a strong resentment against LBT amongst the trading community in the state.