Traders who bring goods valued more than Rs 5,000 into the city and
have an annual turnover of more than Rs 1 lakh have to pay the tax. The
department started enrolling traders from March 18.

The
Federation of Associations of Pimpri Chinchwad, a group of 23 different
traders’ organisations from Pimpri-Chinchwad, is opposing the imposition
of the tax. The federation had called a strike from April 1 to 6.

During the bandh period, a total of 1,452 traders had registered with the municipal corporation.

PCMC assistant commissioner Ashok Munde said, “There is a steady
response from traders in Pimpri Chinchwad for the LBT registration. We
expect more traders to enrol themselves with the LBT department as the
state government is firm on not abolishing the tax.”

He said,
“The LBT department had earlier conducted workshops to create awareness
about the levy, enrolment, payment and other aspects for traders and
industrialists. It is ready to conduct more such workshops if the
traders demand that their doubts be cleared.”

The department
has prepared a special online facility for the enrolment and payment of
LBT to the civic body on the PCMC website www.pcmcindia.gov.in. Traders
can also log on to the website for information about LBT rules, rates,
handbook and registration form. Traders have to pay Rs 100 to the civic
body as registration charges. Those who have VAT numbers can get
registered fast as they are deemed to be LBT holders.