Nihang Singhs give Punjab govt 7-day ultimatum to set up reciprocal entry tax for Himachal vehicles

The ongoing agitation against the Himachal Pradesh entry tax intensified on Saturday, after the Nihang Singhs joined the stir and issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Punjab government to impose a reciprocal tax.

A large group of Nihang Singhs gathered at the Gara Mora toll plaza under the leadership of Baba Achchar Singh, warning that if the Punjab government fails to act within a week, they will themselves enforce a reciprocal tax on Himachal-registered vehicles.

The Nihang leadership cautioned that it would set up makeshift cantonments along the borders of Himachal, to collect tax from vehicles, mirroring the levy imposed on Punjab vehicles.

“This is not merely a tax issue but a matter of dignity and rights of the people of Punjab. If the government does not act, we will take matters into our own hands,” Baba Achchar Singh said, accusing the Himachal Pradesh government of burdening commuters and transporters.

The announcement of Nihang Singh comes two days after the acting Jathedar of Akal Takht Kuldeep Singh Gargaj termed the entry tax of Himachal as “Jaziya” tax (a tax which was imposed during the Mughal rule).

Amid this heightened tension, members of the Sangarsh Committee also staged a dharna along the busy Kiratpur–Manali highway, raising slogans against Himachal’s government and intensifying pressure on authorities. They declared the Gara Mora NHAI toll plaza free for commuters.

Leading the agitation, Sangarsh Committee leader Gaurav Rana said the protest would continue until a concrete assurance is provided either by the Himachal Pradesh government to withdraw the entry tax or by Punjab to impose a reciprocal levy.

“The toll plaza will remain free for commuters until the administration gives us a clear assurance. People are being burdened from both sides,” Rana said. He also accused the NHAI of failing to intervene despite repeated appeals.

The protest marks a renewed surge in the agitation, which has been gaining traction in recent weeks, particularly among taxi operators and small transporters. They allege that while Himachal Pradesh has exempted its own registered taxis from the levy, Punjab-based commercial vehicles are forced to pay the entry tax, placing them at a competitive disadvantage.

Taxi operators say the additional cost is eroding their already thin margins and pushing them out of business. “Passengers prefer Himachal taxis because we charge more due to the entry tax hike. It is an uneven playing field,” said a protesting driver.

Transporters and traders have also flagged the absence of a reciprocal taxation system in Punjab, calling the current arrangement, “a one-sided financial burden.”

Despite mounting protests, there has been no formal resolution from either of the states so far. However, the agitation, now involving the Nihang groups and impacting toll operations on a key highway has significantly raised the stakes.

The Kiratpur–Manali highway, a crucial link between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, carries heavy tourist and commercial traffic.

With protest leaders hinting at further escalation, the coming days are expected to be critical in determining whether authorities initiate dialogue or the agitation expands across more transit points.