Nalagarh truck operators seek relaxation in payment of goods tax

Facing financial challenges, several truck operators from the Nalagarh Truck Operators Union (NTOU) have requested the state government to relax the payment terms for their pending goods tax. The truckers also expressed frustration over approximately 500 cases where, despite settling their dues, they have not received the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Transport Department. As a result, their vehicles could not be duly passed and were standing idle since weeks.

Being an industrial hub, the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) area is home to Asia's largest transport union, with a fleet of 10,000 vehicles, and many locals rely on the transportation sector for their livelihood. Although the Transport Department had permitted truckers to clear their outstanding goods tax dues by December 31, 2024, under a one-time settlement policy with a 10 per cent penalty, many truckers could not avail of this opportunity due to lack of funds.

Nalagarh MLA Hardeep Bawa has intervened on their behalf, writing to Transport Minister Mukesh Agnihotri requesting an extension until March 31, 2025, for truckers to pay their dues under the one-time settlement plan with the 10 per cent penalty. He also urged the minister to instruct officials to issue NOCs to those who have cleared their dues, enabling them to get their trucks passed and resume operations.

Bawa stated, “Truckers have informed me that around 500 of them who paid their dues, including the 10 per cent penalty by December 31, 2024, have still not received the necessary NOC from the Transport Department. As a result, their trucks remain idle, and they are suffering business losses because their vehicles are not being cleared for operation.”

With a stand-off already existing between the industry and the truckers on the issue of higher freight, the transporters have been losing business as investors opt to hire vehicles at lower costs from other states. The delay in receiving the NOCs has only worsened their situation.