NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) is planning to set up a special cell for Local Body Tax (LBT) at its headquarters in Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan. The civic body is also planning to commence enrollment of businesses and industries for the new system.

The preparations by the NMC to introduce the LBT have gathered momentum following Bombay high court's order of March 26 to implement it within eight weeks. The deadline ends on May 20 and the LBT is expected come into effect from May 21.

Speaking to TOI, a senior NMC official said, "We have already started preparations for the introduction of the LBT. Accordingly, octroi will be replaced. We will soon set up a special cell for the LBT. The employees of the octroi department will be shifted to the new LBT cell. There are 400 employees in the octroi department, including 100 employees on contract basis who have been outsourced from private firms. These employees are to be shifted as per the requirement."

"There are around 20,000 businesses (trade and industry) within the NMC limits. The LBT is to be introduced in the city as per the guidelines of the state government. Accordingly, businesses having turnover of less than Rs 1 lakh have been exempted from paying the LBT. Traders having turnover of up to Rs 2 lakh will have to pay LBT of Rs 4,000. Similarly, the bracket has been fixed at Rs 6,000 for turnover up to Rs 3 lakh. The LBT will increase by Rs 2,000 for every additional Rs 1 lakh."

In June 2012, the state government had issued a notification to introduce LBT in Nashik with effect from July 1, 2013. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena corporator, Gulzar Kokani, and Shiv Sena's Sudhakar Badgujar, leader of the opposition in the house, had then challenging the decision of the state government to introduce the LBT in Nashik. On June 29, the high court had stayed the decision of the state government to introduce LBT in the city.

However, on March 26, the Bombay high court rejected the plea by Kokani and Badgular and directed the civic body to implement the LBT within eight weeks.

NASHIK: Builders seeking approval for their building plans will have to submit affidavits to the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), assuring officials that they will not use drinking water for construction activities.

A decision to this effect was taken by the civic administration as part of water saving measures in view of the water shortage the city is facing.

An NMC official said, "Usage of drinking water for construction purposes has been banned by the civic body as the water level in Gangapur dam, the main source of drinking water, has declined. The builders, seeking approval for their building plans, will have to file an affidavit in the town planning department assuring the corporation that water supplied by NMC or any public source of water will not be used during construction."

The official added, "The builders will have to file an affidavit on a Rs-100 stamp paper along with the proposal for approval of their building plans."

With an aim to avoid water shortage in the future, the civic had imposed water cut across all six divisions from February 15, with 10 per cent water cut daily and once-a-week water supply on every Tuesday. Following opposition by corporators to once-a-week water supply, the civic administration cancelled once-a-week dry day and commenced one time daily water supply from March 18.

The water supply department has also suggested guidelines for judicious use of water, like using stored water instead of throwing it away, not to use drinking water for cleaning purposes and using water from borewells sparingly.

To report leakages in pipelines, valves and tanks to the civic body citizens can contact officials on 9423179145.