SHILLONG: The process of imposing the recent unprecedented hike of vehicular taxes has come under further question as it has been revealed that the Tax Force for Resource Mobilisation did never consult the Transport department before submitting its recommendations for revision of the rates of Motor Vehicles Tax and Composite Tax on Tourist Vehicles.
“During the whole exercise of tax revision, the task force never consulted the Transport department officials who have in-depth knowledge about the prevailing taxes on motor vehicles,” official sources claimed.
“There would not have been an abnormal tax hike had they sought the suggestion of the Transport officials. The task force has come up with the recommendation without understanding the ground reality,” the sources said.
The Government ordered a four-to-five times hike in the motor vehicle taxes on the recommendations of the task force.
Commenting on the head of the task force, Additional Advocate General BP Tody, the sources said, “Since it is a matter related to taxation, we expect a person with strong background on accounts to lead the task force. But it is surprising to see that the Government had selected a person with legal background for the position.”
Govt denial: The State Government on Monday clarified that the recommendations of the task force on vehicular tax revision were placed before the Cabinet on February 10 this year and duly approved.
Interestingly, Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma, who had briefed the media about the decisions taken in that particular Cabinet meeting did not feel it necessary to inform about the tax revision which has major implications on the public.
The Chief Minister, had only informed about the Cabinet decision to lift the Administrator’s Rule from the GHADC and to make mandatory the use of CFL and LED bulbs in all Government buildings.
The Government also did not feel it necessary to put up a notice in the print and electronic media to inform the public about the major hike in vehicular taxes.
Meanwhile, following the East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA), the Meghalaya Tourist Taxi Association has also condemned the tax revision terming it an abnormal hike.