Guj govt reduces by 10 pc passenger tax in state-run bus fares

Gujarat government today announced a 10 per cent reduction in passenger tax levied on the ticket fare on the buses operated by the state-run GSRTC.
The announcement was made by State Road and Transport Minister Nitin Patel here today after the cabinet meeting.
"The cabinet approved reduction in passenger tax by 10 per cent in the Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus fares. At present, 17.5 per cent tax is collected on the bus tickets. From August 15, only 7.5 per cent tax will be applicable on the bus fares," Patel said adding that this move would make a dent of Rs 150 crore annually in the state revenue.

In another major development, the scope of health scheme 'Mukhyamantri Amrutam (MA) Yojana' for BPL families in the state was widened.
BPL family members, who possess the MA card, can avail free treatment of up to Rs 2 lakh per year at government hospitals for neuro surgery, burn injury, trauma, urology and paediatric surgery.
From August 15, non-BPL families can also avail the benefits of this health scheme at designated hospitals in the state.
"To extend this medical facility to the needy citizens having very small income, our government has decided to widen the scope of the MA Yojana. Now, non-BPL families, having income of less than Rs 1.2 lakh per year, are also covered under the MA scheme," said Patel, who also handles the Health portfolio.

Both these initiatives had been announced in the state budget.