Shimla, March 31: BJP legislators staged a protest on Tuesday within the assembly premises against the Congress government’s decision to increase entry fees and impose a surcharge on petrol and diesel.
Led by former Chief Minister and opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur, the BJP members labeled the government’s policies as anti-people.
Thakur pointed out that while the central government has reduced VAT on petrol and diesel by ₹10 in light of the situation in the Middle East, the Thakur government has continued to implement decisions that burden the public. He noted that the impact of these policies has reached neighboring states like Punjab and Haryana, where residents and transporters have taken to the streets in opposition to the increased entry fees for non-state vehicles.
The opposition presented specific figures, revealing that the entry fee for small vehicles has surged from ₹40 to ₹170, while heavy vehicles now face a hike from ₹40 to ₹1,000. They argued that this move is not only unreasonable but also detrimental to Himachal Pradesh’s tourism economy.
Additionally, the government has opened the door to impose a ₹5 ‘widow and orphan surcharge’ on petrol and diesel through a newly passed act, further burdening the public.
The opposition leader expressed concern that this decision would become a daily economic strain for residents of border districts, potentially halting everyday life and business activities.
He emphasized the seriousness of the situation, noting that residents from neighboring states have warned of blocking vehicle entry into the state starting tonight, posing a significant challenge to law and order.
The BJP accused the government of failing to learn from the deteriorating situation and not taking public interest seriously. Instead, they claimed the government is pushing the state towards economic chaos by imposing unnecessary financial burdens.
The opposition issued a stern warning: if the government does not immediately retract the increased entry fees and surcharges on fuel, the protest will escalate from the assembly to the streets.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu clarified the situation regarding toll tax barriers in a statement after lunch, stating that deliberate confusion and discontent are being spread.
He announced that the toll tax structure has been reviewed, and the entry fees for cars and vehicles with up to 12 seats will be reverted to their previous levels.
He also informed the assembly that he attempted to contact Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann by phone but was unable to reach him.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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