At the out set, I wish everybody A HAPPY DIWALI & ID MUBARAK. After gaining the blessings from Lord Ganesha and Goddesses including Mahalaxmi & Durga, we celebrated the victory of good over the bad elements by illuminating lamps and welcoming the goddess of economy i.e. Mahalaxmi. We also reemphasized the solidarity of brotherhood between two major communities i.e. Hindu and Muslims. It is rightly stated that "Diwali mei hai Ali, aur Ramzan mei hai Ram".

        Recently we witnessed the star example of unity of all our members on 5th October, 2006 all over the State. On that day for the first time, in the history of our Association, we demonstrated outside the Sales Tax Office all over the state for our own well established right and as a part of our fight against the injustice to the majority of our members, as also to protect our profession from becoming the victim of divide and rule policy adopted by the State Government. I salute all our members individually and the members of all Local Professional Associations who also supported us during the protest and maintained peace throughout the protest week from 3rd October 2006 to 7th October, 2006. I do pray to God Almighty to bestow wiser counsel amongst the rulers so as to regain the confidence amongst one and all.

        Our Association has always been in forefront for giving suggestions and representing for removal or improvement of any illogical or unjust law. It is also true that most of the suggestions made by our Association are accepted, sooner or later, and due relief is given to the traders or amendments made in Act, Rules or Notification as the case may be. At times GR are issued or administrative reliefs are given. During the formation of VAT also, our Association appointed committee of renowned Members on behalf of Law & Representation Committee to go through each and every word of draft rules. The Members had series of meetings with the VAT-in-charge, Shri Dilip Dixit. Our Members took care to suggest all the amendments, improvements, as the case may be, not only from the legal point of view but also mistake in spelling, comma, fullstop, etc. This is not a self praise nor do we expect or wish to have public acknowledgement by the Hon’ble Commissioner of Sales Tax but it pains to see the Hon’ble Commissioner acknowledging the representation by other Association. Our Association has never represented for rate of tax but we have always represented in the interest of justice & fairplay and therefore, this is a selfless service given to the Department of Sales Tax over the 50 years. The circulars always mention "This Office has received representation from Traders……" When in fact normally traders hardly represent. It is our Association who has been helping the trade community as well. Whether one acknowledges or not our Association, it will continue to do its duty of service to the State and Public at large.

        I welcome yet one more new Hon'ble member of the Tribunal Shri V. B. Deshmukh from judiciary who joined the Tribunal recently. His appointment would lead to the constitution of fifth bench of the Tribunal. This is a welcome news for all of us and would lead to reducing the number of dockets awaiting final adjudication.

        Apart from the protest, the Association continued main object of keeping its members updating with latest developments by arranging Seminars and Workshops successfully. On 6th October a workshop on MVAT Audit was organized jointly with All India Federation of Tax Practitioners at M.C. Ghia Hall.

        I would conclude this communication by reminding all our members that the coaching Classes for juniors would begin from 1st November 2006. Another important and historical event on 17th November, 06, the day when this Association was formed in 1951. On that occasion we shall also have a Diwali-Get-Together and also would felicitating our members who are still in practice though even after crossing the complition of seven decades of their life. I request one and all to attend this unique function which has been kept open to all members without any charge.

Tushar Joshi
President