Dear Members and Readers,

The winding corridors of Mantralaya might soon be easier to navigate. Slowly but surely, the Maharashtra Government is entering the technology race and sprinting alongside e-savvy States like A.P. Mantralaya will soon have an electronic attendance register, a document journey management system, a generic meeting information system and personnel information system. It will have V-SAT connectivity promising a 24 hours hook-up between State head quarters and districts. By multi-point video conferencing the CM will be able to e-interact with Divisional Commissioners, District Collectors and Superintendents of Police. The I-Setu project to be launched initially at 50 locations across the city, will comprise of kiosks to allow bill payments for phone and electricity, and later on, will offer downloadable forms, certificates for birth, death, etc. Let us hope it will be useful for even the work of Sales Tax Department which collects the highest revenue for State Government.

In order to achieve the targets of tax collection, the Maharashtra State Government may bring in proposal in monsoon session, to amend the Sales Tax Laws/rates, remove exemptions or tax reductions, enhance the tax levies, and so on. Let the changes made be only bearable else it can have an adverse impact on tax collections. In the competitive market, even a small price rise is undigestable and can lead to shift or decrease in business. High tax rates can also lead to tax evasions.

With effect from 1-5-2003, the VAT on Iron and Steel in Maharashtra is exempted by inserting entry A-154 u/s. 41 of the BST Act, 1959. Finally the Government accepted the demand of traders. Also the Empowered Committee of State FMs on VAT has taken the Centre's stance that VAT should be implemented by the States only after arriving at a consensus with major political parties. This postpones implementation of VAT indefinitely.

On 19th July, 2002, I took over the charge as the President of our esteemed Association, with a mission statement, "Knowledge, Service and Unity lead to Success". My team and I worked throughout the year to achieve the main objective of imparting and spreading knowledge, serving the members in particular and society at large and to promote fellowship and brotherhood amongst the tax practitioners. Apart from regular activities, we have introduced the FAQ series on Sales Tax and Allied Laws. The study circle meetings on Excise, Customs, IPR, etc. vis-a-vis Sales Tax Laws were organised. The focus was on VAT which was to be implemented. Regular representations and updated study material on VAT took much time. VAT seminar at Patkar Hall was spectacular and successful. We conducted seminars even at outstation and district places, where response was tremendous. Finance is the lifeline of any organisation and more for a charitable and professional body. We have restructured the finance and membership fees to improve the health of our Association, of course with the valuable and considered co-operation from members.

However, some tasks are unaccomplished like members directory, group insurance cover for members and renovation of our office premises for which I urge the members to pardon me.

It was an honour to work as President of this august body. My teammates worked shoulder to shoulder with me. I was fortunate to get matured guidance and encouragement from co-opted members, members-in-charge, seniors and past presidents. In fact it is the team work and team spirit, that I am able to accomplish the tasks, set forth by me. I acknowledge the love and affection showered by the members on me and sincerely thank you all for wholehearted support in each and every activity, throughout the year. This year will be a happy memory in my life.

I am pleased to handover the charge to the new incoming team, with Shri Pravin R. Shah, as its leader. I am fully confident that ever increasing expectations of our members will be fulfilled by the new team. My support and good wishes are there with the new team to take the baton of this Association to new heights in the incoming days and years. Namaskar and Good bye. Once again, I sincerely thank you for giving me an honour to lead this august body.

With warm regards

Yours sincerely,