Himachal ready to freeze proposed tax hike

With the strike by operators of commercial vehicles entering the second day, Himachal Pradesh transport minister GS Bali on Tuesday agreed to roll back amendments that led to the protest, provided the operators ceded to conditions put by him.

With the strike by operators of commercial vehicles entering the second day, Himachal Pradesh transport minister GS Bali on Tuesday agreed to roll back amendments that led to the protest, provided the operators ceded to conditions put by him.

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However, Himachal Commercial Vehicle Joint Action Committee (HAVJAC), the group that is spearheading the strike, has said that it would continue the agitation till the time government does not roll back the proposed amendment for hiking road tax.

Meanwhile Bali said he was ready to freeze the proposed hike in taxes if operators of commercial vehicles agreed on five conditions: First, operators fix their fare; second, meters be installed in all taxis; third, taxi operators should wear uniform and display their driving licences; four, mandatory for operators to attend workshops on women and road safety; five ban on stage carriers that transport passengers illegally.

AHCVJAC president Jeet Ram said Virbhadra Singh had assured them that the state government would withdraw the proposed amendment. "It should first carry out the rollback, only then will we call off the strike," he said.