Shimla, June 3: BJP legislator Randhir Sharma has raised serious questions regarding the ‘Khalsa Tax’ imposed by the state government. He stated that if any illegal tax is being collected at the Punjab-Himachal border, the government must take immediate notice and act decisively. Additionally, he urged that private vehicles and tourist cars should be exempt from the entry tax.
Sharma clarified that he has no official confirmation of such a Khalsa Tax, but protests and demonstrations have been ongoing in the border areas. According to him, since the increase in entry tax, local residents have been consistently protesting. Recently, there have been visible demonstrations on this issue.
He emphasized that the government should take this matter seriously and immediately roll back the recent increase in entry tax. He argued that this decision is not in the best interest of the public or tourism.
Sharma insisted that private and tourist vehicles should be exempt from the entry tax. He believes that such a move would boost tourism in Himachal Pradesh, increasing not only the number of visitors but also creating local job opportunities and strengthening the state’s economy.
He pointed out that the entry tax has caused significant inconvenience to the general public, especially those living in border areas. Many times, they have to cross the border repeatedly, leading to increased costs and time. Vehicles registered in Punjab also face tax issues, causing frustration among local residents.
Sharma noted that if a relative or an ordinary traveler comes from Punjab to Himachal, they also encounter difficulties due to the entry tax. Therefore, it is crucial for the government to make decisions in favor of the public and tourists by providing relief from this tax for private vehicles.
He also mentioned that, given the ongoing protests, both the Himachal and Punjab governments should engage in dialogue to maintain peace and prevent any potential violence or tension.
The legislator criticized the Chief Minister, stating that the government had assured in the assembly that the entry tax for small vehicles would remain at ₹70, but a subsequent notification increased it to ₹100. He believes that if the government had upheld its promise, the current protests might not have occurred.
With growing opposition, there are now demands to completely abolish the entry tax. However, Sharma personally believes that at least private and tourist vehicles should be exempted from it.
He also addressed the impact on tourism, noting that toll barriers and entry taxes in border areas often lead to long traffic jams. Tourists sometimes find themselves stuck for not just one hour, but up to two hours.
He remarked that tourists visiting cooler destinations like Manali to escape the heat face disruptions on their journey. Families traveling with children experience the most difficulties. As a result, many tourists hesitate to return, which is not a positive sign for the state’s tourism industry.
Leave a Comment