BOMBAY, June 22, India: Reuter: Nearly half a million municipal employees in West India struck today against the abolition of a British Colonial tax lifted after protests last month by half a million businessmen and traders.
Workers picketed city offices in Bombay, India’s commercial capital, saying that the abolition of the transport tax would deprive their employees of 4.5 billion rupees (350 million dollars) a year. Essential services were not disrupted by the one day stoppage.
The Maharashtra State government agreed to scrap the tax levied on goods entering the State after a six day strike last month by traders and transport operators paralyzed business. The tax, known as Octroi, was introduced by the British last century.
Critics said its collection at roadside checkpoints held up goods trucks for days.
Municipal workers said the loss or revenue would affect local government services. The State government is studying other taxes to recoup the loss.
Article extracted from this publication >> June 26, 1987
