Toilet Tax, Toilet Tax Himachal Pradesh: Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu-led Himachal Pradesh Government came under the scanner of social media after a report went viral with the claims that a 'toilet tax' has been imposed in the state. Himachal Pradesh which is reportedly facing economic worries reportedly came up with a bizarre 'duty' idea in the name of 'toilet tax'. Even Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman expressed her shock over the reports that suggest that the Himachal government is coming up with a Toilet Tax. Now, the question arises what is Toilet Tax or what is Himachal Pradesh's Toilet Tax? Below is all about Toilet Tax-
What is Toilet Tax?
Under the purported Himachal Pradesh Toilet Tax, the Congress government reportedly imposed a Rs 25 tax per toilet in the houses of those residing in urban areas. Hence, the toilet tax is also called the toilet seat tax. Talking about what is toilet seat tax or toilet tax, under this the government imposed a monthly fee of Rs 25 for every toilet seat in homes located in urban areas. This amount will be added to the existing sewerage bill and transferred to the account of the Jal Shakti Department, which manages water and sanitation services in the state.
However, after an uproar, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu denied imposing any kind of toilet tax in the state. Terming it baseless, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhwinder Singh on Friday said, "We are charging Rs 1,00 per family for water connection and it is also not compulsory. There is no such thing as toilet tax."
The Himachal Pradesh CM also told media persons that a Rs 100 charge was applicable per family, however, it was not mandatory. "Even big hotel chains have been brought under the purview of this new tax. Those questioning the move must understand the economics first," said CM Sukhu. Sukhu also trained guns on the previous BJP regime and accused it of "emptying" the government's coffers by offering "free revadis" of Rs 5,000 crore. He also urged the BJP to desist from "politicising" the issue.
Did the Himachal Pradesh Government introduce a toilet tax?
As a result, True Scoop tried to dig more about Toilet Tax. It came across a notification allegedly issued by Himachal Pradesh Government's Jal Shakti Vibhag which reads, "In partial modification of this Department notification dated 21-09-2024 condition No. 3 prescribed in the terms and conditions at page No 4. "Where in the urban areas, some establishments use their own water sources and the sewerage system of the department, sewerage charges be levied @Rs 25/- per seat per month is hereby deleted with immediate effect." Notably, the notification was shared by a journalist from Himachal Pradesh on social media. Hencem True Scoop cannot authenticate the notification.
Furthermore, a report stated that the Himachal Pradesh Government never mentioned in the notification that a sewerage connection has to be taken for every seat. However, it was mentioned that under the sewerage connection, a fee of Rs 25 will have to be paid per seat based on the number of toilet seats in the house. Now after CM Sukhu's clarification, no such type of tax exists in the state now.
What did Nirmala Sitharaman say on toilet tax?
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman led the charge in slamming the Sukhu government and said, "unbelievable if true".
"Unbelievable, if true! Whilst PM Modi ji, builds Swachhata as a people's movement, here is Congress taxing people for toilets! Shame that they didn't provide good sanitation during their time, but this step will shame the country," she posted on X.
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya termed the move as "bizarre" and sarcastically said: "This is what a crap government does."