Only 26 traders and businessmen registered for the Local Body Tax (LBT) at the 15 PMC ward offices in the city. Assistant Municipal Commissioner and Octroi Department Head Vilas Kanade confirmed that the turnout at the ward offices was low
“This is just a beginning and we expect an encouraging response in the near future. Traders and businessmen in the city are expected to register for the LBT till March 31. The drive will be intensified from April 1, when actual enforcement will be made in the city.”u00a0
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While Kanade was unable to give the exact number of traders and businessmen who registered online yesterday, he estimated the number was over 1,000.
“The overall response was low because traders and businessmen are opening their shops and establishments on Sunday. We expect a better response on Monday,” Kanade said.
He added that an introduction programme on LBT was conducted at the Kasba Peth ward office on Saturday and was attended by a group of 60 people.
“A total 2,247 forms were distributed between March 14 to March 16, wherein 63 traders filed their registration papers. We have received 19 emails queries,” he said.
Dinesh Jain, partner at Jaihind Collections on Laxmi Road, said, “Though we had opposed LBT, there is no option but to register. I register in the next 15 days.”
Shutter down
Traders had shut shops on March 15 to protest against the implementation of the LBT by the civic body. The Federation of Trade Associations of Pune, an apex body of the city traders that called for Friday’s bandh received support from 80 traders associations. The bandh received a good response, as numerous business districts in the city wore a deserted look on Saturday.u00a0
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