After bidding farewell to Lord Ganesh, all are now back to our Chambers for sorting out the problems of our clients.

    At the outset, I welcome Shri S. R. Khanzode and Shri S. N. Jamode as new Hon'ble members of the Maharashtra Sales Tax Tribunal. I assure both of them our full co-operation in deciding the matters expeditiously before them.

    One more much desired addition has been made to both the libraries in the form of a mobile charging zone, where the members can get their mobile phone charged while visiting the Sales Tax Office. The members have already started taking advantage of this zone at both the places.

    Many of the assessees still continue to submit their Returns in Form 201 instead of 221. Possibly that may be due to their not knowing the changes in the rules. I would very much desire that the proper propaganda and publicity by the Department would create awareness about such developments, though the Association on its part and the members in general do keep their clients informed about the changes, but it seems their actions have proved to be not enough.

    Though more than three months have passed by since the issuance of Ordinance No. 6 of 2006, the rules required to be amended have still not seen the light of the day. I do definitely desire that the Commissioner of Sales Tax would take up the matter with the concerned authorities. In Sachivalaya for expediting the publication of both the delegated llegislations.

    Turning to the activities accomplished during the last thirty days and future activities of the Association, I am glad to find that the two Study Circle meetings were well attended. On both the occasions, the members heard the speakers with rapt attention. Many of the administrative issues were clarified by the Deputy Commissioners present at the Second Study Circle Meeting. The workshop for discussing the issues relating to MVAT Audit was also a successful one. On the same subject, a Joint Seminar, also, was arranged with The Malad Chamber of Tax Consultants. That too was successful. Many of our members who desired to participate could not be accommodated because of paucity of accommodation. In that view of the matter, on 6th October, 2006, a joint Workshop have been organised in collaboration with All India Tax Practitioners’ Association. I do wish that those who could not participate in the Seminar would definitely attend the said Seminar on 6th October, 2006.

    17th November happens to be the Founders’ Day of this Association. It is in fitness of things that a function has been arranged on that day, which would be three-in-one, so as to have a Diwali-Get- together, Founders’ Day celebration and felicitation of active members above 70 years. I may recall that such Seniors were felicitated in the past, about a decade back. During the interim period, many of our members may have celebrated their 70th birthday. Considering that aspect of the matter, the Managing Committee decided that such members and their contribution to the development of the profession must be recognised appropriately. I request all the members to participate in the three-in-one programme on 17th November in large numbers positively.

    I am happy to report to my members that the short notes in arrears have been made up-to-date, inasmuch as the one containing the judgments up to July, 2006 have been dispatched to the members.

    The readers of this Journal who were anxious to know about the 31st RRC would be happy to read that the same has been finalised and the venue is the well known place of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, during 22nd to 27th December 2006. The dates have been proposed keeping in mind the Christmas vacation period that may result in larger participation at the said RRC. A Circular giving all the details also have been dispatched since the travel arrangements will have to be made two months in advance, I expect the response from the members latest by 10th October, 2006.

    As requested for in my last communication, I await the response from district places for planning the educational programmes in future.

Yours faithfully,