Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Government has ruled out withdrawing the entry tax imposed on commercial vehicles entering the state, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stating that while the levy cannot be abolished, its rates may be reduced.
The Chief Minister said the concerned department and the contractor have been directed to work on reducing the tax burden on vehicles.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Himachal Pradesh Government said residents of Punjab villages located within a 5-kilometre radius of the Himachal border will be exempted from the entry tax. Entry passes for eligible vehicles belonging to residents of these border villages will be issued shortly.
Reacting to the decision, former Nangal councillor Advocate Parmjit Singh Pamma said Punjab should also consider imposing toll tax on vehicles entering from Himachal Pradesh. He said the Nangal Municipal Council had earlier passed a resolution seeking a toll plaza on the Punjab side near the Mehatpur area and urged Punjab Cabinet Minister Harjot Singh Bains to implement the proposal.
The decision has also drawn criticism from Punjab Morcha. Its convener Gaurav Rana said the organisation would continue its agitation until the Himachal Pradesh Government completely withdraws the entry tax on commercial vehicles and taxis entering the state from Punjab.
