Vehicles get dearer as RTA raises taxes

Rise in life tax, green tax to burden new owners

The Telangana State Road Transport Authority has increased life tax and green tax amounts, which will be an additional `400 crore burden on those purchasing new vehicles.

Last year, around

1,34,003 vehicles were registered in Hyderabad, while in Ranga Reddy it was 1,15,227 and Medchal

73,223. Sales of fourwheelers increased after the Covid-19 pandemic. In the 2020-2021 fiscal, the state transport authority generated revenue of

`3,228.69 crore.

This increase in taxes will affect all two, three and four-wheeler owners.

It is 13 per cent on vehicles priced below ` five lakh, 14 per cent on above `five lakh, 17 per cent on above `10 lakh while there will be an 18 per cent increase on vehicles above `20 lakh. There is utter confusion among customers who go to RTA for registration and re-registrations. Authorities are hesitant about explaining the category-wise percentage. When this correspondent tried to contact RTA officials, it was found that many top officials were on leave while the others present in office refused to speak on the issue.

Shaik Salauddin, president of Telangana Four Wheeler Drivers Association said “the transport department has increased rates on fitness, green and life taxes and other RTA services. But they have not released any notification or any public announcement on this. There is no clarity on the taxes. The RTA has to clarify. The state government is looting the common man and that too without any intimation.”

Meanwhile, a cab driver, Vadda Narsimha, cautioned “if taxes are increased, then we shall increase our fares.”