Punjab taxi operators protest over recent imposition of taxes at Parwanoo border

Solan : Protesting the recent imposition of taxes on the tempo travellers, plying on All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules 2023, by the Himachal Pradesh transport department; a large number of transporters from Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh on Monday held a dharna at the Parwanoo inter-state barrier and raised slogans against the state government.

Up in arms under the banner of Azad Taxi Union, the transporters said it was unfair to levy Rs 3,000 per day along with a cess of 200 per day on their 13, 17 and 23-seater tempo travellers.

“If the Volvo buses were plying as state carriage and evading taxes, then the officials of the state transport department should look into their operations and not punish the tempo travellers by levying similar taxes on them” they argued.

Taxi union president Sharanjit Singh Kalsi and chairman Harnayaran Singh Mann said if their demands were not met and the new tax notification issued on July 24 was not rolled back, they would lay siege to the state’s borders in the coming days.

This tax has become applicable from September 1 on all vehicles entering Himachal from other states.

The transporters said it was contrary to the notification dated August 4 issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways whereby tourist vehicles plying under All India Tourist (Permit) Rules, 2023, are not supposed to be charged any levy in any state.

These permits were made for the seamless and hassle free movement of tourists across states, they added.

The transporters argued that they were already paying central taxes and it was unfair to levy double taxation on them.

Despite taking up the issue with the principal secretary transport at Shimla nothing discernible has been done to roll back the tax as assured, they added.

They accused the state government for considering them at par with 50-seater Volvo buses and levying similar tax on them.

The transporters said the state government should clarify whether their July 24 notification would remain enforced or the central notification issued on August 4 on taxation would be applicable.

They also handed over a memorandum through SDM Kasauli to the Chief Minister, demanding a roll back of this levy.