In a historic move pointed toward reinforcing its monetary assets, the state government has contrived an arrangement to force a tax on luxury buses navigating its streets. Refering to the past non-payment of charges by these lavish vehicles, the government has commanded that they should now contribute their reasonable portion. The required amount for this tax is a significant Rs 9 lakh per year.
This earth shattering expense drive will be executed solely in the pleasant area of Himachal Pradesh. On Thursday, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri made a public announcement that luxury buses operating within the state will now have to pay a Rs 9 lakh annual tax.
Quite, a significant number of 200 to 250 luxury buses are at present crossing the state’s lanes without satisfying their expense commitments.
The state government broadcasts that this nervy undertaking plans to fortify the monetary remaining of the Himachal Street Transport Organization (HRTC), which by and by wrestles with a stunning loss of Rs 1,355 crore.
Mukesh Agnihotri insisted that the month to month pay of the HRTC adds up to Rs 65 crore, while its uses take off to around Rs 134 crore. As a result, it is the government’s responsibility to close the 69 crore deficit.
The consequences of this monster monetary mishap have resonated through the passageways of the HRTC, bringing about postpones in the payment of pay rates and annuities to its tireless labor force.
In any case, the Deputy CM has mitigated the worries of HRTC workers by ensuring that their pay rates will be immediately dispensed by the seventh of every month. In the mean time, the HRTC experiences further misfortunes because of offering concessional travel to ladies and kids, as well as working transports in scantily populated distant regions.
The HRTC currently operates a substantial fleet of 3,142 buses on 3,719 state routes. Among them, 167 buses have outlived their 15-year lifespan and must be replaced right away, while 1,199 buses have no book value at all.
The minister revealed plans to speedily supplant 202 transports, eventually lessening the HRTC armada to 2,773 vehicles. In addition, a comprehensive procurement strategy has been developed to acquire approximately 600 buses by the year 2023, including electric versions.
Importantly, a growing number of states are placing an increasing emphasis on electric buses as a component of their transportation infrastructure. The Himachal Pradesh government has pledged to fill vacant positions for drivers and conductors to ensure the smooth operation of buses throughout the state, following this trend.
