No imposition of tax on keeping pets in urban areas, clarifies Punjab Govt.

The Local Government Department of Punjab on Tuesday made it clear that the reports in certain sections of media regarding imposition of tax upon keeping pets in the urban areas are totally baseless and devoid of facts.

Clarifying the position, a spokesperson of the department today said the Local Government Department has not imposed any such tax.

The spokesperson also divulged that the letters being circulated in the media have absolutely no link with the imposition of tax.

"Letters are concerned with the framing of 'Punjab Municipal Corporation and Municipal (Registration Control of Stray Animals and Compensation to the Victim of Animal Attack) bye-laws, 2017 by the department as per the orders of the High Court," the spokesperson added.

Earlier in the day, it was reported that the Department of Local Administration, headed by state minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, has issued a notice, stating that people living in Punjab and having a dog, cat, pig, sheep, deer etc. as a domestic animals, will have to pay a tax of Rs. 250 per year.

It is, however, now said that it was only a draft notification/proposal.