By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Three organizations — KSU, JSU and East Khasi Hills Local Taxi Welfare Association (EKHLTWA) — have sought Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma’s intervention to put on hold the recent proposal of the government to revise the rate of motor vehicle tax and the rates of composite tax on tourist vehicles as per recommendation of the Task Force for Resource Mobilization
“We feel that the increase was unreasonable and unprecedented,” KSU general secretary Hamlet Dohling said in a memorandum submitted to Chief Minister on Thursday. He also requested Dr Sangma to ensure the proposed hike was put on hold within a week’s time.
“If the Government does nothing we would be forced to take this issue to the public,” the KSU leader added.
Meanwhile, the UDP’s Youth Wing has alleged the Task Force for Resource Mobilization recommended the revision of the rates of taxes without the approval of the Cabinet.
Addressing newsmen here on Thursday, the UDP’s Youth Wing secretary, David Kharsati said as per information gathered by the party, it was found that the task force, which was constituted two years ago to study the tax revision, did not submit the report to the Cabinet.
The State Government, however, clarified recently that the recommendations of the task force were placed before the Cabinet on February 10 this year and the same were duly approved.
Kharsati said the tax hike on tourist vehicles from Rs 3000 to Rs 24000 per annum was “unjustified”.
It could be reminded the Meghalaya Tourist Transporters’ Association (MTTA) has decided to hike the fare tourist taxis following the multiple increases of vehicular taxes. This will hit the passengers on Guwahati-Shillong route hard.
Meanwhile, UDP-State Youth Wing president (Shillong city), AF Dkhar said as per the rate of increase of taxes on passenger and goods vehicles, it has been calculated to be beyond an understandable percentage, considering the fact that this hike would affect the common man to a great extend.