Transporters and traders in Maharashtra are rejoicing about the scrapping of warai tax on the transport of goods and have thanked the Maharashtra government for the decision. Warai refers to local unloading charges exacted on an average per truck depending on the tonnage, and an official receipt is also issued in most cases. The taxes were largely misused and used to extort money by unidentified miscreants.

“With the circular dated January 16, 2024, issued by the marketing directorate of the department of cooperatives, marketing and textiles to the chairmen of Agriculture Produce Market Committees  (APMCs) across the state, collection of warai tax has been scrapped. It will now be an illegal act to collect the amount towards warai and entry tax from the owners and drivers of the transport vehicles,” Suresh Khosla, president of Bombay Goods Transport Association (BGTA), said.