Civic panel to study Nashik octroi rules

The general body meeting (GBM) of the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has decided to appoint a three-member committee to make necessary changes in the recently revised octroi rules.

The demands of industrial organisations were not considered at the GBM.

After the approval from the state government, the NMC administration had brought into effect the revised octroi rules from August 25. Industrial organisations, including Nashik Industries and Manufacturers' Association (Nima), Ambad Industries and Manufacturers' Association (Aima), Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB), Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (MACCIA) and Nashik Industrial Co-operative Estate (NICE) had opposed this new regulation. As a result, this issue was again tabled at the NMC's general meeting on Wednesday.

At the GBM, many NMC corporators were opposed to reducing the octroi rates, saying the revised rates were less compared with other municipal corporations in the state.

Finally, it was decided a to appoint a three-member committee to settle the issue. "Necessary changes in the revised octroi rules will be made through the administration. A three-member committee will be appointed in this regard to make necessary changes . This committee will include commissioner Vilas Thakur and deputy mayor Vinayak Pande and the mayor," said Balasaheb Sanap, mayor, NMC.

According to industrial organisations, "There are changes in the initial and final drafts of the octroi rules. Some clauses were omitted in the final draft. As per Clause 40 (B) 2 in the initial draft, there was a provision for octroi on imported raw materials from 0.25 per cent to 1.25 per cent. But, this clause has been completely done away with in the final draft and imported raw materials have been classified and 3 per cent octroi have been levied on them. Besides, the new regulation also includes harsh norms like checking godowns and accounts any time."