Cess on motor vehicles, online gaming to be taxed

Gangtok, June 10 (UNI) Online gaming through electronic or non-electronic formats will be taxed in Sikkim to generate revenue with the state Assembly today giving assent to a bill in this regard.

Chief Minister Pawan Chamling tabled the bill- The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Bill yesterday in the House that seeks to provide for the control and regulation of online gaming through electronic or non-electronic formats and to impose a tax on such games in the state.

The Bill would generate revenue when it becomes operational, said Mr Chamling while introducing the bill.

The provisions of the bill stated that any person desiring to obtain a licence shall make an application in writing to the state government and the state government may grant or refuse the application. Licence fees as prescribed must be paid to the state government.

Similarly, motor vehicles excluding government ones plying in the roads of the state will also have to cough more money as per a bill that was assented by the House.

The Sikkim Levy of Road Protection, Development and Maintenance Cess on Motor Vehicles bill was tabled by Roads and Bridges Minister DT Lepcha in the House yesterday.

The Bill is intended to generate fund for protection, development and maintenance of roads in Sikkim and is expected to bring extra revenue to the fund for road protection, development and maintenance by way of cess per annum, said Mr Lepcha while introducing the bill yesterday.

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