CM waives tax on papad

Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today announced that the state government would completely waive the sales tax owed to it by the Mahila Griha Udyog Lijjat Papad, the largest co-operative society run by women. The CM said the co-operative society owed the government Rs 1.12 crore as sales tax which was 2 per cent since October 1, 1995. The period of taxwaiver would be from October 10, 1995 to March 31, 1999 and every year the burden of the state exchequer would be Rs 70 lakh, he added. Joshi, however, said that the government had not agreed with the request of the co-operative society to waive sales tax on detergent manufactured by it.

Security to hsg minister, secy

Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today said that adequate security cover was provided to Housing Minister Suresh Jain and Housing Secretary V P Raja after both complained of receiving threatening calls.

``After Jain told me about the calls, I had a talk with the police commissioner and the security being provided to him was increased. Though Raja did not complain to me that he was being threatened, the police would conduct an inquiry into it. We have provided police protection to him also,'' Joshi said.

Jain and Raja have alleged that they were threatened by the city builders lobby over the much publicised Shivshahi Punarvasan Prakalp Ltd, the company set up by the government toprovide free houses to 40 lakh slum dwellers in Mumbai.

Robber fires at police

Police fired at a robber after he allegedly tried to assault a policeman at Khar on Tuesday evening.

According to a police officer at Khar station, the police received a call of `trouble' at 14th road, Khar and rushed a police party, led by PSI Mohite, to the spot. On seeing the police, the accused Rahimtullah Subhan Shaikh alias Kaliya, who was armed with a chopper, reportedly advanced towards an officer despite repeated warnings. Mohite then fired three rounds at Kaliya, who received injuries on his leg. He was rushed to Bhabha Hospital at Bandra, where he is reported to be out of danger. Kaliya has several robbery cases registered against him.