Assam: Protest against the toll gate tax hike staged by AJP in Nagaon

Digital Desk: The Assam Jatiya Parishad (AJP) opposed the new surge in toll gate tax in Nagaon on Wednesday.

AJP employees marched to the streets near the Raha toll gate to demand that the tax increase be cancelled.

The protestors were against the central government's decision to raise the toll gate tax, which went into force on April 1 this year.

Notably, before the end of the fiscal year 2022-23, the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) planned to raise toll charges across Assam beginning April 1.

It is to be mentioned that the NHAI had revised the tariffs for seven toll gates in Assam, including the Raha toll gate. 

The Raha Toll Gate in Khaigarh now charges Rs 115 instead of Rs 110 for a single journey for automobiles, jeeps, vans, and light motor vehicles. For a single journey, the toll cost for light commercial vehicles and light cargo vehicles has been raised from Rs 175 to Rs 185. The toll for two-axle trucks and buses has been raised from Rs 370 to Rs 390.

It should be noted that the government increased the toll tax by 15% last year, with effect from April 1, 2022; so, a 15% increase in toll tax every year will have a substantial impact on the pricing of both essential and non-essential commodities in the state. 

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