FAM and trade bodies announces symbolic statewide trade shutdown on August 27 demanding simplification of GST tax regime

X: @the_news_21

Mumbai: Trade bodies led by Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM) have called for a symbolic statewide trade shutdown on August 27 to press for simplification of GST regime. This was disclosed in a media statement released here on August 4 by FAM president, Jitendra Shah.

The following resolutions were unanimously passed during the trader’s conference: (1). Remove cess of Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) as food grains are now subject to GST, (2). Do not implement the proposed changes in Rule 3 of the Legal Metrology Act. (3). Simplify the GST law reduces compliances in returns and e ways bills. Reduce the number of monthly returns. Resolve the issues related to disallowance of input tax credit on purchases if the seller collected the tax but did not deposit the same in the government treasury.

It was decided that statewide trader gatherings would be organized through the Action Committee in all six revenue divisions of Maharashtra. To draw the government’s attention, a symbolic shutdown will be observed on August 27, followed by a state-wide trader’s rally in Mumbai. Before this, the traders’ demands will be presented to the Chief Minister, both Deputy Chief Ministers, and the Marketing Minister of the state.

The joint effort was made by the Federation of Association of Maharashtra (FAM) Mumbai, Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA) Mumbai, Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industries and Trade (CAMIT) Mumbai, The Grain, Rice and Oil Seeds Merchants Association (GROSMA) Mumbai, and The Poona Merchants Chamber (PMC) Pune.

A statewide conference for traders of all Agricultural Produce Market Committees and food grains was organized on August 4, at The Poona Merchants Chamber, Pune.

The conference saw the attendance of 150 office bearers from various trade organizations and chamber members from cities such as Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Ulhasnagar, Nashik, Jalgaon, Bhusawal, Junnar, Narayangaon, Chakan, Baramati, Ahmednagar, Barshi, Latur, Solapur, Kolhapur, Sangli, Karad, Satara, and many more.

The conference was chaired by Lalit Gandhi. Discussions during the conference revolved around the problems faced by Agricultural Produce Market Committees, issues related to the Legal Metrology Act, and GST-related challenges.

Prominent attendees included Lalit Gandhi, President of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce; Jitendra Shah, President of the Federation of Association of Maharashtra (Mumbai); Pritesh Shah, Director General; Balchandra Kataria, Vice President; Praful Sancheti of the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industries and Trade; Amritlal Jain, Vice President of The Grain, Rice and Oil Seeds Merchants Association (Mumbai); Bheemjibhai Bhanu Shali, Secretary; Fattehchand Ranka, President of Pune Vyapari Mahasangh; Rayakumar Nahar, President of The Poona Merchants Chamber; former presidents Rajendra Bathia, Ajit Setia; Amarsingh Desai, President of Sangli Chamber of Commerce; Sharadbhai Shah; Suresh Chikkli of Solapur; Pravin Desai of Kolhapur; Pandurang Mundada of Latur; Kiran Gandhi of Pandharpur, among others.

The event also saw the presence of Pravin Chorbele, former president of the Chamber; Ashish Dugad, Joint Secretary; and Dilip Gupta, Vice President of the Maharashtra Chamber.

Rayakumar Nahar welcomed the dignitaries. The introductory speech was delivered by Rajendra Bathia. Ishwar Nahar expressed gratitude to the attendees, and the event was compered by Uttam Bathia.