Will legally examine imposing entry toll on vehicles: Punjab FM Cheema

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced in the Assembly that Punjab will legally examine imposing entry toll on vehicles, mirroring Himachal Pradesh’s recent tax hike.

The issue came up for discussion during the Question Hour, as Ropar MLA Dinesh Chadha urged the government to impose a similar tax.

Responding to the question, Cheema said the government would examine the legal feasibility of imposing such a tax.

Chadha asked whether the Punjab Government was considering imposing an entry tax on vehicles from other states, arguing that Himachal Pradesh collects such a tax from tourists and other visitors.

Cheema said after the implementation of the Goods and Service Tax (GST) regime, the concept of “one nation, one tax” came into effect, under which states generally cannot impose separate entry taxes. However, he pointed out that Himachal Pradesh enjoys special status and collects a fee from vehicles entering the state.

Cheema said Himachal Pradesh had recently increased entry fee from Rs 70 to Rs 170 per vehicle. He alleged that the Congress government in Himachal was facing severe financial stress and had taken such measures to raise revenue. “The financial condition in Himachal Pradesh has deteriorated. The government there has frozen dearness allowance for employees and stopped providing free electricity to people,” he said.

However, Chadha maintained that the entry tax in Himachal Pradesh was not linked to its special category status but was imposed under the Himachal Pradesh Toll Act of 1975. He urged the Punjab Government to explore the possibility of introducing a similar levy in the state.

Supporting the demand, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan said if a sarpanch can impose entry charge in a village, the government should also be able to explore such options.

Rs 1.75 cr misued on inauguration

Demanding action for misuse of public funds, Jalandhar North MLA Avatr Singh Junior alleged that Rs 1.75 crore was spent on the inauguration of an already ongoing project at Burlton Park Stadium in Jalandhar.