It’s taxing for trucks and buses

Movement of essential commodities to be hit, with truck & private bus operators deciding to suspend services protesting TS’ move to impose entry tax

Thousands of trucks transporting essential commodities and private buses will be off the road from the midnight of Tuesday, protesting the Telangana government’s move to impose what will be an ‘entry tax’ for vehicles from other States.

A decision to this effect has been taken, said bus operators H. Subhash Chandra Bose (SVR Travels) and Sunil Kumar Reddy (Orange Travels). Gopal Naidu, president, All India Lorry Owners Association, confirmed the same for lorries. They are moving the Court and expect a decision at the hearing to be held on Wednesday.

Mr. Bose regretted that motor vehicle tax, being a State subject, was the issue. “Every time there is a strike, we are the worst-hit. We are just recovering from the damage we sustained during the Telangana struggle. We are also paying taxes fixed when the price of a barrel of crude oil was $150 even when the oil price has come down to $50. How fair is it all?” he asked.

Mr. Reddy said if the AP government decides to hit back, Telangana people will be affected, whether it is a bus or truck. The problem will be compounded in Telangana districts that share borders with AP.

Alert sounded

An alert has been sounded on the AP-Telangana border in view of the Telangana government’s decision to collect inter-State road tax from transport vehicles entering the State from A.P. from Tuesday midnight. Police personnel will be deployed on the border to prevent traffic jams and any untoward incidents at check posts, an officer said.