Nihang groups issue 10-day ultimatum to HP, Punjab govts over entry tax

Ropar: The row over Himachal Pradesh's entry tax on vehicles from Punjab intensified on Thursday, with Nihang Singh organisations giving the govts of Himachal Pradesh and Punjab 10 days to resolve the issue or face an escalation of protests.Baba Achar Singh, speaking on behalf of the Nihang group, said the ultimatum was directed at both govts. "We have given 10 days to the Himachal government to stop levying entry tax on vehicles entering the state from Punjab. Punjab govt has also been given 10 days to either persuade Himachal Pradesh to withdraw the tax or impose a reciprocal levy on vehicles entering Punjab from Himachal," he said.The controversy centres on entry tax imposed by Himachal Pradesh under the Himachal Pradesh Toll Act, 1975, on vehicles entering the hill state from Punjab. Traders, transporters and commuters from Punjab have termed the levy discriminatory and economically burdensome.The latest warning comes a day after Nihang Singhs, under the banner of Misl Sahibzada Baba Jujhar Singh Ji Chamkaur Sahib, set up a symbolic ‘Khalsa Toll' near Kiratpur Sahib to protest what they described as an unfair tax. The group collected voluntary donations from motorists and said the money would be used for charitable purposes under the principle of Sarbat da Bhala.Punjab Morcha convener Gaurav Rana claimed the symbolic campaign had succeeded in drawing attention to the issue. "The objective was not to impose any compulsory levy but to send a strong message and make the Himachal government realise the anger among people affected by the entry tax," he said.Rana accused Himachal Pradesh govt of ignoring public concerns for months and warned that the agitation would intensify if no action was taken within the stipulated period.Ropar deputy commissioner Aditya Dachalwal confirmed that protesters collected voluntary donations at the Punjab-Himachal border, but said the administration intervened and the protest was wound up within minutes. He added there had been no official communication with the Himachal Pradesh govt on the matter.Protest leaders said they would announce the next course of action if the issue remained unresolved after the 10-day deadline.