Himachal Pradesh CM Denies ‘Toilet Tax’ Claims
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has firmly denied any claims of a ‘Toilet Tax’ being imposed in the state. Speaking in New Delhi, he labeled these claims as baseless and warned against their use for political purposes. He criticized the BJP for allegedly using such issues for political gains, especially in light of the Haryana Vidhan Sabha elections.
Before the 2022 elections, the previous BJP government introduced free schemes worth Rs 5,000 crore, including free water, to gain electoral success. Despite these efforts, the Congress Party won the elections. The current government has decided to rationalize the water subsidy, imposing a minimal charge of Rs 100 per connection per month in rural areas. Sukhu emphasized that families who can afford to pay should do so for the state’s benefit.
Earlier, the Himachal Pradesh Jal Shakti department clarified that no tax is imposed on commercial toilet seats. Onkar Chand Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary of the Jal Shakti Department, dismissed reports of a Rs 25 fee per toilet seat for commercial units as incorrect. He explained that 30% of water supply bills in urban areas are standard sewerage charges. A notification proposing a Rs 25 charge for commercial establishments was withdrawn the same day after objections from the Deputy Chief Minister.
Sharma highlighted that any reports suggesting a tax based on toilet seats are misleading. The department aims for 100% sewerage connectivity for better pollution control. The recent notification only addressed water charges, with no changes to sewerage policies. The public is urged not to spread false information about these charges.
Doubts Revealed
Himachal Pradesh -: Himachal Pradesh is a state in northern India, known for its beautiful mountains and scenic landscapes. It is a popular tourist destination.
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister, who is the head of the government in an Indian state. The Chief Minister is responsible for making important decisions and running the state.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu -: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh. He is a political leader who represents the state and makes decisions for its development.
Toilet Tax -: A ‘Toilet Tax’ would mean charging people money to use toilets. In this context, it was a rumor that people would have to pay a fee for using commercial toilets in Himachal Pradesh.
BJP -: BJP stands for Bharatiya Janata Party, which is one of the major political parties in India. It is often involved in political debates and elections.
Jal Shakti department -: The Jal Shakti department is a government department in India responsible for water resources and management. It works to ensure clean water supply and proper sanitation.
Sewerage connectivity -: Sewerage connectivity refers to the system that carries waste water from homes and businesses to treatment plants. The goal is to have all areas connected to this system for better sanitation.