18 pc tax on parking fee catches visitors unawares

Harshraj Singh

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, November 16

Visitors feel the pinch as 18% goods and service tax (GST) was levied on parking fee at Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Inter-state Bus Terminal Ludhiana from today. The increase in the parking fee came as a shock to most visitors to the bus stand.

Now, parking fee for a four-wheeler has increased to Rs 24 from Rs 20 for up to 12 hours as Rs 4 is charged as GST. Charges for parking a two-wheeler (up to 12 hours) have increased to Rs 12 from Rs 10. Notably, the parking lots at the bus stand are managed by the Punjab Roadways/Punbus.

It is learnt that the state Transport Department on Tuesday issued a notification, instructing the authorities concerned to charge 18% GST on parking fee. Apart from this, 18% GST is also levied on ‘adda’ fee that is charged from the buses carrying passengers entering the bus stand.

The Station Supervisor at Amar Shaheed Sukhdev Interstate Bus Terminal, Ludhiana, Dalip Singh, said: “The parking fee at the bus stand has increased with the introduction of GST from today. After applying GST, the parking fee for a two-wheeler is Rs 12 and for a four-wheeler Rs 24 for a period up to 12 hours.”