Amarinder Singh agreed with carriers their industry needs support (file)
Chandigarh:
In a relief to Punjabi bus operators, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Friday ordered a 100% exemption from motor vehicle tax until December 31 for all staging, minibuses and school buses , while deferring the payment of tax arrears, without interest or penalty, until March 31 of next year.
This decision will result in a total financial benefit for the transport sector to the tune of Rs 100 crore, according to an official statement.
The chief minister also called on Transport Minister Razia Sultana to discuss and resolve other issues of concern to private minibus owners by next week.
The decisions and directives were announced by the Chief Minister during a virtual conference with various private transport associations in the state. Besides Ms. Razia, Minister of Finance Manpreet Badal and Secretary of Transport K Siva Prasad attended the meeting.
Although the transportation department initially suggested exempting up to 50% of the tax until December 31, the chief minister, responding to concerns of carriers, canceled the department to announce a 100% relief, according to the press release.
The carriers had previously received 100% aid for two months, until September 30, by the state government.
“The Chief Minister took note of the problems faced by carriers, who pointed out that with less than 10 percent of commuters using bus services, they were unable to cover even the cost of diesel to run their vehicles.
“Although public transport and the PRTC (public transport), being prime roads, were in demand, private bus operators continued to suffer due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” officials said. transport associations to the chief minister.
Amarinder Singh agreed with the carriers that their industry, which is fully managed by Punjabis, needed additional support from the state government in the current situation and agreed to their request for full tax exemption until the end of this year, the statement said.
