HimVani
Shimla: The bill to impose entry tax up to seven per cent on transit of certain goods into the state was passed by voice vote by Himachal Pradesh Assembly today, overruling the opposition’s objections on certain clauses, who later staged a walkout over the issue.
The government is hoping to generate around Rs 50 crore annually from the new tax, an official said. Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said that most hydropower companies and industrialists have been bringing goods for consumption, sale and construction from outside the state without paying any tax. “We want to check the tax leakages. There will no fresh burden on the common man and we are targeting big companies that are doing mega projects on a turnkey basis,” he said. Once the bill gets governor’s consent, seven per cent tax on diesel, furnace oil and lubricants, five per cent on cement and four per cent on iron, steel, ‘pan masala’ and cigars and cigarettes would be imposed. However, the bill exempts agriculture implements, agricultural or horticultural produces, aids for the handicapped, etc.
