Punjab govt slashes VAT on e-bikes, e-scooters, e-rickshaws

Punjab government today slashed the VAT on e-bikes, e-scooters and e-rickshaws to check pollution by promoting these modes of public transport which are environment friendly.
A cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here slashed the VAT from 13 per cent plus 10 per cent surcharge (14.30 per cent) to 5.5 per cent plus 10 per cent surcharge (6.05 per cent) on e-bikes, e-scooters and e-rickshaws.
Disclosing this, a spokesperson of the CM's office said this decision has been taken to check the pollution by way of promoting these modes of public transport, which were environment friendly, instead of diesel autos.

VAT on the these items in Uttarakhand, Delhi and Rajasthan was 0 per cent, whereas in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh was 5.25 per cent and 13.75 per cent respectively.
"The reduction in the rate of VAT on e-bikes, e-scooters and e-rickshaws from 14.30 per cent to 6.05 per cent would result in loss of Rs 2 crore to the state exchequer," he said.
The Cabinet also gave nod to modify its earlier decision to bring the authority already constituted under the control of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Department to undertake the maintenance of Sri Harmandir Sahib, Sri Durgiana Mandir, Ram Tirath, Town Hall, Gobind Garh Fort and Urban Haat at Amritsar instead of local government department.

It was also decided to name it as 'Amritsar Tourism Development Authority' and Gobindgarh Fort Amritsar had also been included within its ambit.

Approximately 500 to 750 meters area around Sri Darbar Sahib, Gobindgarh Fort, Durgiana Mandir and Ram Tirath Complex would be under the jurisdiction of this authority.
The authority has been authorised to execute works related to maintenance, cleanliness, electricity, monuments- lighting, sanitation, upkeep of roads, solid waste management and other related works in this area.
"The funds would be provided from the Cess collected under the Excise Policy of the state government to carry out the activities of the authority," he said.

In order to impart quality Higher education to the people, the Cabinet also approved the setting up of two self-financed private universities 'Sri Guru Ram Das University of Health Sciences' and Khalsa University both at Amritsar.
The Cabinet also gave ex-post facto approval for the creation of three posts of Chief Parliamentary Secretaries (CPSs), to bring far more efficiency in state administration besides dissemination of policies and programmes of the state government in a result oriented manner.