Shimla, April 2 There has been no increase in the prices of petrol and diesel in the state, and the Legislative Assembly has only made provisions to allow for a price increase of up to Rs 5 in the future, if needed, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Thursday.
The Himachal assembly passed the HP Value Added Tax (Amendment) Bill 2006 on March 23, seeking to levy a "cess" on petrol and high-speed diesel up to five rupees per litre for "orphans and widows."
Speaking to the media, he said that the entry toll rates for larger vehicles have been reduced, and the entry tax for passenger vehicles entering from other states has been lowered from Rs 130 to Rs 100.
Providing relief to the transport sector, the Chief Minister announced that light commercial vehicles registered in Himachal, such as pickups, taxis, and three-wheelers, are exempt from toll tax.
He added that concessional passes would be issued to residents living near toll barriers to provide relief to the local population.
According to a notification issued here on Thursday, the entry tax for passenger vehicles with up to 12+1 seats would be Rs 100, light commercial vehicles, mini buses, and six-tyre trucks would be Rs 320, and 10-14 tyre trucks would be Rs 570.
Meanwhile, Sukhu described the amendment to the Anti-Defection Law as a step towards strengthening democracy. He stated that legislators who defect, thereby forfeiting the public's trust, should not be entitled to receive pensions or other benefits accorded to former legislators.
Expressing confidence that the reforms introduced during the budget session would bolster the state's economy and accelerate the pace of development, the chief minister said that the government is working towards making Himachal self-reliant by 2027 and transforming it into a prosperous state by 2032.
Referring to the budget session, he said that the session witnessed meaningful deliberations, and the suggestions put forth by the opposition were also given serious consideration. He noted that several significant bills were passed during the session, which are poised to bring about positive changes in the times to come.
The Chief Minister further stated that in this year's budget, the government has curbed unnecessary expenditure and placed a strong emphasis on the optimal utilisation of resources.
The state is not facing any financial crisis; rather, its economic position is being strengthened through a process of "system correction," he clarified.
Referring to the amendments made to the Panchayati Raj system, the Chief Minister stated that a flexibility of up to 5 per cent has been introduced in the reservation roster for SC, ST, OBC and other categories.
This measure has been adopted to rectify imbalances arising from reliance on outdated census data, thereby ensuring equitable representation for all sections of society.
