Date of payment of advance tax by bus operators extended

Chandigarh, Aug 25 (UNI) In a significant decision to give major relief to private bus operators in Punjab, Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today announced to extend the date for payment of advance tax by bus operators from 15th of every month to the end of the month.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting with the representatives of the Punjab Motor Union presided by Mr Badal here this evening.

Taking part in the deliberations, the Chief Minister assured the delegation of Punjab Motor Union that all the issues raised by the union including reduction in the special road tax and 'adda' fee, equal frequency, simplification and rationalization of payment of road tax, rectification of permit fee from Rs 5000 per year to Rs 5000 per five years as decided in the Cabinet, reduction in toll tax and uniformity in the time table would be looked into.

The delegation was led by Chief Parliamentary Secretary (Excise and Taxation) and Acting President Jagdish Sawhney.

The Chief Minister asked the Principal Secretary, Transport, to convene a meeting of senior officers from the departments of local government, finance, transport and the representatives of the Punjab Motor Union to thrash out the issues meticulously.

He assured of a sympathetic view of their genuine demands as he realized the hardships faced by them in view of the steep hike in the prices of diesel recently.

Prominent amongst others who were present in the meeting included Principal Secretary to Chief Minister D S Guru, State Transport Commissioner R.Venkta Ratnam, Transport Director Mandeep Singh and the Secretaries of Regional Transport Authority of Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Patiala.

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