IN ONE of the largest gatherings of the Agricultural Produce Market Committee (APMC) trading fraternity in recent years, representatives of leading trade and industry organisations from across Maharashtra on Wednesday unanimously agreed to launch a ‘Peaceful Statewide Non-Cooperation Movement’ from Gandhi Jayanti by refusing to both collect and pay the APMC Market Cess, if it is not abolished by October 2. The resolution was unanimously adopted at the Statewide APMC Traders’ Conference jointly organised by the Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce & Industries and the Kolhapur Grain Merchants’ Association.

 

On the occasion, Dr Dipen Agrawal, President, Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industry & Trade (CAMIT) said, “CAMIT has apprised Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis of the severe financial burden imposed on traders by the continuation of the APMC Market Cess alongside GST. He informed the gathering that the Chief Minister had assured him that the issue would receive positive consideration. On the occasion, Mohan Gurnani, Chairman, CAMIT, criticised the Government’s decision to empower Agricultural Produce Market Committees to levy User Charges even on deregulated commodities such as flour, semolina, edible oils, pulses and dry fruits. He said traders are subjected to the combined burden of GST, APMC Market Cess and User Charges, creating an unjust system of multiple taxation.