Commercial vehicle operators protest Himachal entry tax, traffic disrupted

Under the revised rates, passenger vehicles, light commercial vehicles and three-axle trucks are now subject to increased entry charges.

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Various Punjab-based organisations on Saturday again staged a protest against the hike in entry tax by the Himachal Pradesh govt, and blocked the road at Dehni border near Nalagarh, resulting in a traffic jam. The protestors, who belonged to various truck and taxi unions, raised slogans against the Himachal Pradesh govt for imposing a ‘gunda tax’ on non-HP vehicles. Kamalajeet Singh, the vice-president of Taxi Union, Ropar, said that the Himachal Pradesh govt gave assurance that hike in the entry tax would not be implemented for 10 days.

“Despite the assurance, the Sukhu govt took a U-turn and hiked the rates. And it’s not just the entry tax we have to pay. For entering all the major tourist destinations, including Manali or Sissu, we have to pay green tax. Himachal is perhaps the only state in the country having such draconian entry taxes,” said Singh. “We will continue with our protests till the govt reconsiders its decision to hike taxes,” added Singh. A protestor at the site added that either the Punjab govt should impose reciprocal tax or the Himachal Pradesh govt must exempt us.

Janak Raj, MLA from Bharmour constituency in Chamba, also joined the protestors at their dharna site and criticised the Himachal Pradesh govt for hiking the entry tax rates. As per the rationalised and revised rates issued by the HP govt following recent protests, all non-HP passenger vehicles of sitting capacity up to 12 are being charged ₹100; light commercial vehicles up to two axles, ₹320; and three-axle commercial vehicles, ₹570.

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