Pune: On Tuesday, August 27, grain traders across Maharashtra will stage a symbolic one-day strike to protest the continued imposition of the market regulation cess in Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) yards, despite the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on food grains.

The strike, which will see wholesale and retail markets closed across the state, is intended to draw the attention of the state government to the traders' longstanding demands.

The traders' grievances include the continued collection of the regulation cess by market committees, even after the introduction of GST on food grains.

Additionally, they are opposing proposed amendments to Rule 3 of the Legal Metrology Act, seeking simplification of the GST law, and addressing issues related to set-off on purchases.

Despite years of advocacy for the abolition of taxes in APMC yards, the traders feel their concerns have been ignored by the government. The symbolic strike is aimed at pressing the government to take immediate action on these issues.

In Mumbai, a protest will be organized where traders will submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Agriculture Minister.

The strike is being supported by several prominent trade organizations, including the Maharashtra Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture (Mumbai), the Federation of Association of Maharashtra (Mumbai), the Chamber of Associations of Maharashtra Industries and Trade (Mumbai), the Grain, Rice, and Oilseeds Merchants Association (Mumbai), and the Poona Merchants Chamber (Pune).