Traders agree to call of LBT stir after meeting with CM

Section of traders in Maharashtra tonight agreed to call off their prolonged agitation protest against the Local Body Tax (LBT) after a meeting with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan here.
Chavan held lengthy discussions with traders, which ended late this evening, after which some of the participants at the meeting announced that the traders would be calling off the stir.
"Traders in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Navi Mumbai and Thane have announced that they are calling off the stir, following discussions with the CM," an official spokesperson said.
Chavan assured traders that necessary amendments would be made in provisions like registration limit, he said.

"The LBT tangle has been resolved. We congratulate the Chief Minister for his role," Congress leader from Pune, Mohan Joshi, told reporters here.
"The agitation was on for the last 20-22 days against the adverse stipulations for implementation of LBT. Now, the issue has been resolved," he said.

Earlier today, Chief Secretary Jayant Banthia also held a meeting over the LBT issue.
The state government had indicated that it might agree to some of the traders' demands.
The account-based LBT, which replaces octroi, has been levied in 25 of the 26 municipal corporations in the state.
An issue that was discussed at today's meet was appointing serving and retired sales tax officials on deputation in municipal bodies to assess the LBT as they were familiar with the taxation system.