Chandigarh Administration hikes civic body’s share in cow cess

The Chandigarh Administration has enhanced the share in cow cess to be given to the Municipal Corporation on the sale of vehicles and electricity consumption.

As per a notification issued by the Administration today, Rs 1,000 will be charged as cow cess on the purchase of a four-wheeler as against the earlier amount of Rs 500.

The cess will be collected by the Registration and Licensing Authority (RLA) on private vehicles and by State Transport Authority Chandigarh for commercial vehicles. Besides, the UT Electricity Department will now collect cess of 6 paise per unit on power consumption as against 2 paise earlier.

Mayor Harpreet Kaur Babla has requested Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma to enhance the civic body’s share in cow cess, being imposed on liquor by the Excise and Taxation Department. Babla said with the UT’s decision and approval of the auction of the residential sites for housing project will help the MC to tide over the financial crisis.

The Mayor has sought dedicated share from the RLA and a separate grant to support the maintenance of 22 villages recently brought under the MC jurisdiction.