Protect octroi nakas for city's security, says Uddhav Thackeray

Mumbai: Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray has said that octroi nakas on the outskirts of the city should be protected in the view of city’s security. Police officials should be deployed near these nakas to keep a check on the vehicles coming into the city, he has suggested.

Speaking on the occasion of the handover of the GST compensation cheque at BMC headquarters, the Sena chief said, “After the abolition of the octroi system, the octroi nakas have been left with no role to play. But taking into account the city’s security, the state government should not abandon them. Instead police force should be appointed to keep a check on the vehicles coming into the city.”

The GST has replaced the octroi system, which was the biggest source of BMC’s revenues. The Sena chief thanked the union finance minister Arun Jaitely and state finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar for handing over the first instalment of GST compensation to BMC on time.

There have been mixed reactions after the implementation of GST. Even in Modi’s Gujarat, the traders had gone on strike. The GST will take time to settle down. When a new concept is brought about, there is always a need for review and modification, if the need arises. The same should be done about GST, according to Mr Thackeray.