Maharashtra Traders’ Strike Called Off After Positive Meeting With Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis 

Following a productive meeting between Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, senior officials, and representatives of the traders’ association, the Maharashtra Trade Action Committee has decided to withdraw the statewide trade strike planned for tomorrow. This meeting, which was organized through the initiative of MLA Madhuri Misal, addressed various demands raised by the traders.

The meeting was attended by Minister Mangal Prasad Lodha, MLA Madhuri Misal, Lalit Gandhi of the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture, Ravindra Mangave, Jitendra Shah and Pritesh Shah of the Federation of Associations of Maharashtra, Mohan Gurnani and Dipen Agrawal of the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industries and Trade, Bhimjibhai Bhanushali and Nilesh Vira of the Grain, Rice and Oilseeds Merchants Association, Rajkumar Nahar and Rajendra Bathia of the Poona Merchants Chamber, and other key stakeholders.

Misal stated, “Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has decided to form a committee including the Director of Marketing, five representatives from the traders, and two each from the market committees and farmers, to suggest technical and legal reforms related to marketing. The committee will present its report to the state government within a month, and a positive decision will be made on it.”

Misal further mentioned that during the GST Council meeting on September 9, all issues related to GST concerning traders will be discussed. Fadnavis has instructed the GST Commissioner to organize an immediate meeting in this regard and also directed secretaries to hold meetings concerning UD matters. All participating trade representatives expressed satisfaction with the swift positive decisions taken on various trader issues. 

Topics Discussed:

• 1. Issues related to Agricultural Produce Market Committees and Marketing Departments.  
• 2. Challenges related to the GST law.  
• 3. Issues related to LBT.  
• 4. Proposed changes to Rule 3 of the Legal Metrology Act should not be implemented.  
• 5. Harmonizing the rents of tenants in state corporations.