The Himachal Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has issued the final notification regarding the contentious entry tax, effectively resolving weeks of uncertainty. The state authorities have claimed that the revised notification provides relief to a majority of stakeholders while maintaining a balance through marginal increases in specific categories.
Addressing a press conference in Shimla, Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, stated that the new notification aims to eliminate all existing confusion. The decision follows a high-level meeting between the Chief Minister and various transporters’ unions, where stakeholders shared their concerns regarding the financial burden of the proposed tax regime.
Under the new directives, all passenger vehicles and taxis registered within Himachal Pradesh have been completely exempted from entry tax. This move ensures that local taxi operators and private car owners will no longer face additional levies at state barriers.
Significant relief has also been extended to the logistics sector. For large goods carriers featuring 10 to 14 tires, the government has decided against any hike, maintaining the entry fee at the previous rate of ₹570. Furthermore, goods vehicles in the 75 to 90 quintal category will continue to pay the existing rate of ₹170 without any change.
To protect the interests of residents living near state borders, the government has introduced a special concessional pass system. Citizens residing within a five-kilometer radius of border checkpoints will be issued these passes to ensure they are not burdened by repetitive entry charges during their daily commute.
However, certain categories will see a slight upward revision. The classification for smaller goods vehicles has been updated from a 20-quintal limit to a 7,500-kilogram threshold, with the tax increasing from ₹130 to ₹170. For buses, the 12 to 32-seater category will now attract a fee of ₹200, up from ₹180.
The fee for buses with more than 32 seats has been set at ₹250, while heavy buses with six or more tires will be charged ₹320. Additionally, the previously separate slabs of ₹70 and ₹110 for vehicles carrying 1 to 12 passengers have been consolidated into a single uniform rate of ₹100.
Naresh Chauhan emphasized that the government has not introduced any “new” entry tax but has merely adjusted existing rates. He reiterated that the Chief Minister’s decision was balanced and finalized only after hearing the grievances of all affected parties.
