Residents of Haryana would now have to pay more for purchasing new vehicles in almost all categories as the Haryana Cabinet on Friday decided to increase the rate of Road Tax.
The Cabinet, under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda decided to increase the existing rates of road tax for personal vehicles as per the directions of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
For two wheelers costing upto Rs20,000, the rate of road tax will remain unchanged that is two per cent. For those having two- wheelers costing more than Rs20,000 to Rs60,000 will have to pay a tax of four per cent.
Similarly, it would be six per cent on the vehicles having cost above Rs60,000 to Rs2 lakh and eight per cent on the vehicles costing above Rs2 lakh.
Similarly for cars etc, owners will have to pay a tax at a rate of three per cent for vehicles costing upto Rs6 lakh. The rate of six per cent will be applicable for cars costing between Rs6 lakh and Rs10 lakh. For cars costing above Rs20 lakh, the rate of tax will be nine per cent. The tax shall be levied on ex-showroom price of the vehicle, including VAT.
Officials said Punjab has already revised its rates and is charging a minimum motor vehicle tax of six per cent on four wheelers from the year 2012. A similar proposal is also under consideration of the Chandigarh Administration. The rates of road tax being charged by Delhi Government are also on higher side. The rates of road tax to be charged by Haryana Government after revision will continue to be on the lower side as compared to the rates prevalent in the adjoining States.
Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana
Cabinet decided to implement Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) to provide life insurance protection to the rural and urban persons living below poverty line and marginally above the poverty line and rural landless households. The scheme would be implemented through life Insurance Corporation of India. Under the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana, which is a scheme of the Central Government, death and disability cover would be provided by the lIC of India to rural and urban families living below poverty line or marginally above the poverty line and rural landless households. The Head of the family or one earning member of the family in the age group of 18-59 years in case of death or disability will be insured.
Financial restructuring of power distribution utilities
The Cabinet approved the proposal of the Finance Department for financial restructuring of power distribution utilities. Under the scheme, as a part of the liability of the State Government, it will take over the liability of Rs8,162.09 crore of the two distribution power utilities by directly issuing bonds or infusion of funds for amount of 50 per cent of the liabilities calculated by March 31, 2012. These liabilities will be taken over in next two to five years when the fiscal space so allows. The State Government will provide full support to the DISCOMS for repayment of interest and principal till the entire bonds corresponding to 50 per cent STl is taken over by the Government.
Scope of Shagun scheme expanded
The Cabinet decided to expand the scope of ‘Indira Gandhi Priyadarshani Vivah Shagun Scheme’ by extending its benefit also to the beneficiaries of general categories also apart from Scheduled Castes. While the Department of Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Backward Classes will continue to implement the scheme for beneficiaries of reserved categories, the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment would cover the beneficiaries of only general categories. The scheme aims at providing financial assistance on the occasion of marriage of daughters of eligible beneficiaries which included the people of general categories living below poverty line and others.
VAT on Bidis increased
With a view to discourage the consumption of ‘bidis’ which leads to health problems in the consumers, Haryana Government decided to levy VAT at a rate of five per cent (plus surcharge at a rate of five per cent) on the sale of ‘bidis’ with immediate effect.
Haryana Knowledge Corporation limited
The Cabinet also decided to establish Haryana Knowledge Corporation limited (HKCl) to create facilities for mass IT literacy throughout the State. It will be established in joint collaboration with Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation limited (MKCl) as the initiative taken up in the State of Maharashtra has proved successful in imparting IT skills on a mass scale. HKCl is envisaged be a Public limited Company and not a Government Company.