MUMBAI, MARCH 31: The Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC) and Government of Maharashtra signed an agreement to reduce betting tax by 10 per cent both at the tote and with the bookmakers with immediate effect. However, the Club will enforce it only from March 3.Ram Khanna, convener, Forum for Fair and Clean Racing (FFCR) released draft-copies of the agreement at the Mantralaya today.The issue had been pending for many months. Gopinath Munde, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister, under whose jurisdiction racing activities are conducted, announced the Government's decision to reduce taxes on March 7 and also to give license for conducting the races.The agreement is signed by UG Dangat, Deputy Secretary, on behalf of the Government of Maharashtra and Ravi Ghai, Senior Committee member (RWITC) and BA Engineer, Secretary of the Club, in the presence of Khanna.The club has given guarantee of Rs 18 crore per annum as revenue for the State Exchequer. The club has put in bonds worth Rs 1,70,0000 asback-up in case of shorfall.With reduction in betting tax, it is hoped that more money would come in legally which was going in the hands of bookies.It is also hoped that Club will implement all other clauses pertaining to election of stewards and graded punishment to erring professionals.
