Himachal Pradesh fuel tax bill: Sukhu says no petrol and diesel price hike

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said no hike in petrol or diesel prices was applied in Himachal Pradesh. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the Assembly only kept a legal option open. This option allows a rise of up to Rs 5 later. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu spoke while interacting with the media on Thursday.

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The Himachal assembly passed the HP Value Added Tax Amendment Bill 2006 on March 23. The bill sought an Orphan and Widow cess on petrol and high-speed diesel. The cess could be set up to five rupees per litre. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu linked this to a future provision, not an immediate increase.

Himachal entry tax and toll tax changes

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said entry toll rates for bigger vehicles were reduced. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also said the entry tax for passenger vehicles was cut. The fee for vehicles entering from other states fell from Rs 130 to Rs 100. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said this was aimed at easing transport costs.

Providing relief to the transport sector, the Chief Minister announced that light commercial vehicles registered in Himachal, ”such as pickups, taxis, and three-wheelers, ”have been exempted from toll tax. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also said concessional passes would go to residents near toll barriers. This was meant to reduce costs for local commuters.

A notification issued on Thursday listed revised entry tax slabs by vehicle type. Passenger vehicles up to 12+1 seater would pay Rs 100. Light commercial vehicles, mini buses and six tyre trucks would pay Rs 320. Trucks with 10-14 tyres would pay Rs 570. These rates applied to vehicles entering the state.

Himachal Anti-Defection Law and budget session measures

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called the Anti-Defection Law amendment a move to strengthen democracy. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said defecting legislators should lose pension and related benefits. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said such defections break public trust. The remarks came while discussing decisions taken during the budget session.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the budget session had detailed discussions. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said opposition suggestions were considered seriously. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said several key bills were passed. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said these measures were expected to bring positive change in the future.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the budget focused on cutting avoidable spending. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government stressed better use of resources. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state was not facing a financial crisis. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the economy was improving through system correction.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the government is working towards making Himachal self-reliant by 2027. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu also spoke of making the state prosperous by 2032. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu linked these goals to reforms discussed in the budget session. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said these steps aimed to strengthen the state’s economy.

Himachal Panchayati Raj reservation roster update

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said changes were made to the Panchayati Raj system. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said a flexibility of up to 5 per cent was added. The change applied to the reservation roster for SC, ST, OBC and other categories. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said this addressed issues from older census figures.

Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the roster update was meant to correct representation gaps. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said reliance on outdated census data had created imbalances. The government said the new flexibility aimed at fair representation. The announcements also included transport relief and a future fuel-cess provision, with no immediate price rise.

With inputs from PTI