Himachal Pradesh residents will now be taxed based on the number of toilets in their homes, as per a recent notice issued by the Congress government, which is grappling with a financial crisis.
The Himachal government’s announcement, tied to the sewerage and water bills, states that urban residents must pay ₹25 tax for each toilet seat installed in their homes. This additional charge will be added to the Jal Shakti department’s account along with the sewage bill.
According to the government, 30% of the water bill will be allocated to sewage charges. Households using private water supplies but relying on the government’s sewage system will also need to pay ₹25 per toilet each month. The department has instructed all divisional officers to enforce this rule.
Previously, water bills were not issued in Himachal Pradesh. The BJP had promised free water if it came to power. However, under the Congress government, a monthly water charge of ₹100 per connection has been introduced starting from October.
Urban residents are expected to be most impacted by this new tax, as homes with multiple bathrooms will face higher costs for each toilet seat.
With five municipal corporations, 29 municipalities, and 17 nagar panchayats, Himachal Pradesh is home to nearly 10 lakh people, meaning a substantial portion of the population will be affected by this new tax policy.’
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed shock at the development saying that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi took efforts to build toilets as part of Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, the Congress is taxing people for toilets.
Unbelievable, if true!
Whilst PM @narendramodi ji, builds Swachhata as a people’s movement, here is @INCIndia taxing people for toilets! Shame that they didn’t provide good sanitation during their time, but this step will shame the country! https://t.co/EPTmOmyufM— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) October 4, 2024
(With inputs from English Jagran)
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