Separate tax on commercial vehicles over pollution

The Delhi government has decided to act tough on commercial vehicles which come from neighbouring states and contribute to air pollution in the national capital.

The Aam Aadmi Party government, in its maiden budget on Thursday, proposed imposition of a separate tax on commercial vehicles for contributing to air pollution.

"I propose a separate tax for commercial vehicles entering Delhi from neighbouring states which contribute to the air pollution in the national capital," said Finance Minister Manish Sisodia.

"Heavy commercial vehicles with 10 wheels and 14 wheels will have to pay Rs.1,000 and Rs.1,500 respectively as a separate tax. Six-wheelers and four-wheeler trucks will have to pay Rs.750 and Rs.500, respectively as tax. Similarly, lighter commercial vehicles like tempos will be penalised with Rs.100 only as a separate tax for polluting the air," Sisodia said.

He said the government was committed to providing fresh air to the people of Delhi.

"We care for the people of Delhi and we will make every possible effort to provide them fresh air," he said.

He said that to reduce air pollution in the city, nearly 12 lakh saplings would be planted during the current fiscal.