Chamber of Commerce and Industries appeal for no tax hike by KMC

Kolhapur: The Kolhapur Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI) has urged the civic administration against any hike in taxes in its 2026-27 budget in view of the conflict in Gulf countries, severely challenging environment for businesses and industries, with the hotel and catering sectors already on the verge of shutting down due to the prevailing gas shortage.A KCCI delegation submitted a written appeal to KMC commissioner K. Manjulekshmi. The meeting was facilitated by Shiv Sena's KMC group leader and corporator Sharangdhar Deshmukh, along with Ruturaj Kshirsagar. KCCI secretary Ajit Kothari said, "Shopowners are ready to pay their rent and requested that KMC issue a fresh notice outlining the original rent, penalties, and interest, replacing earlier notices. He also suggested that the Abhay scheme be extended to business licence holders through the municipal corporation's licence department.Trader Amar Kshirsagar said even though GST was implemented in July 2017, arrears from 2015 to 2017 were cleared by farmers, yet KMC had issued GST-related notices that now need correction. He said displaced landowners are willing to pay rent with a 2% increase as per the ready reckoner, but the town planning department has not taken a decision in this regard.Given the volatile international situation and its impact on local businesses, the KCCI delegation reiterated that increasing commercial rates would further destabilise the already fragile business ecosystem.Responding to the demands, Commissioner Manjulekshmi said the administration would examine whether the Abhay scheme can legally be implemented for a second time, and would also review tax-revision policies followed by other municipal corporations across Maharashtra before taking a decision.