Date:27/04/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/04/27/stories/2005042710800300.htm

Karnataka - Bellary

Bellary traders oppose shifting of tax offices

Staff Correspondent

BELLARY: There was mixed response to the Bellary bandh call given by the Bellary District Chamber of Commerce and Industry to protest against the shifting of some offices of the Commercial Tax Department, including the office of the Joint Commissioner, from Bellary to Davangere.

Most shops and business establishments in the main streets and almost all shops in the main market area, cinema houses and trading houses remained closed.

Procession

Members of the chamber led by its president, M. Phaneendra Babu, came out in a procession and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, urging him to withdraw the decision taken by the Government to shift the offices of the Joint Commissioner of Commercial Tax and the Deputy Commissioner of Commercial Tax (Appeals II).

They pointed out that the shifting of the offices will inconvenience taxpayers.

They also stressed that Bellary is an ideal location for situating the offices in view of the number of industries that have come up in the district, trading in iron ore and other minerals and the increase in tax revenue.