Shimla, March 31 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu rolled back the increase in the entry tax on five-seater and 6-12 seater passenger vehicles on Tuesday, following protests at the state borders.
The CM told the Vidhan Sabha that some confusion is being deliberately spread over the issue, even though the increase is nominal for most categories. He added that relief will be provided by issuing passes to people residing within a 5-kilometre radius of the entry points.
Earlier, the toll tax for light motor vehicles, including a car, a jeep, and a van, was increased from Rs 70 to Rs 170, and people in the border areas were most affected.
The opposition BJP protested in the Vidhan Sabha on Tuesday and had previously raised the issue.
Taxi operators and the tourism industry were also unhappy with the toll tax hike, sources said, adding that protests took place in border areas.
People from Punjab had gathered at the border to protest and threatened to block roads starting at midnight on March 31.
Sukhu maintained on Monday that the state government had not imposed any new toll tax, but only increased the existing one, which will be rationalized soon. The CM attributed the hike to its integration with the FASTag system on National Highways.