Entry tax to be levied on commercial vehicles

Rajinder Nagarkoti

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 20

To increase the revenue generation of the ‘cash-strapped’ civic body, the General House of the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation today resolved to levy entry tax on commercial vehicles entering the city on the pattern of Delhi.

The decision was taken on the agenda placed in today’s monthly House meeting that proposed a slew of taxes to increase revenue generation. Meanwhile, the MC House deferred agenda items to increase water tariff threefold and 10 per cent increase in property tax.

It was resolved that the agenda on the hike in water tariff will be discussed only after the MC would start providing 24-hour water supply to city residents.

opposed the imposition of taxes on the city residents, including commercial tax. 

On commercial tax, the MC is working out the modalities on the pattern of the Delhi Municipal Corporation.The tax range between Rs 100 (taxi and other commercial vehicles) and Rs 800 (10-wheels truck).

The agenda reads, “The tax structure of various leading MCs has been studied and these taxes, which have been imposed by several MCs, can be considered for Chandigarh.” 

The agenda included toll tax on the pattern of the Urban Development Department, National Capital Territory of Delhi, which could be imposed on the commercial vehicles — Rs 100 to Rs 2,000 per vehicle per entry.

MC Commissioner B Purushartha informed the House about the financial condition of the MC. 

He said that for the next financial year, the UT Administration had allocated grant in-aid of Rs 419 crores to the MC. Of the total amount, Rs 100 crores was for the Smart City project and Rs 50 crores for the Kajauli Watersworks. As much as Rs 300 crores will account for salaries, leaving a deficit of Rs 30 crores. The corporation earns revenue of nearly Rs 120 crores.

Fee for fire NOC

The House unanimously approved that the fee be charged for the issuance of no objection certificate (NOC) and renewal of fire certificates on the pattern of Mohali Municipal Corporation. The fee will be charged from multiplex buildings, cinema halls, malls, gas agencies, hotels, marriage palaces, educational institutions and hospitals to name a few. These will be charged Rs 5,000. A committee has been constituted for conducting a survey of different types of buildings and framing modalities.

Tax now on advertisements 

The House also accorded nod for levying of tax on advertisements, other than advertisements published in newspapers.