STATES SUGGEST UNIFORM ROAD TAX FOR BUSES, TAXIS

GUWAHATI : Transferring vehicles from one state to another could soon become hassle free, if a recommendation by state transport ministers is accepted by the central government. The group of ministers (GOM) constituted by the Union road transport and highways ministry, which met on Friday in Guwahati, has recommended a uniform structure of road tax for vehicles across states, an official said. The GOM is headed by Rajasthan transport minister Yoonus

Khan. The recommendation, if accepted, will allow the transfer of vehicles from one state to another without levying road tax. The GOM has also recommended national passenger vehicles permit for passenger cars. “A uniform tax structure will put a check on people registering their vehicles in low tax states and running them in other states. This would also bring necessary relief to genuine cases requiring transfer of vehicles,” a road ministry spokesperson said. Noting that the Centre has the powers to decide the principles on which the motor vehicles tax can be levied, the GOM recommended that the tax be based on invoice price of the vehicles. It has recommended three slabs — 8% tax on vehicles priced below ~10 lakh; 10% for vehicles costing between ~10-20 lakh; and 12% for vehicles costing above ~20 lakh. Diesel vehicles may have to pay 2% extra taxes, while electric vehicles get a 2% discount. lived at her in-laws’ home here. She was born in a Hindu family from Delhi and adopted Sikhism after marrying Narinder in 2005, said his father, Tarsem Singh. She has reportedly said she is happy in her “new life” and “will die if forced to leave”, and has approached the Pakistan government for extension of her stay there, citing “threat of assassination” if sent back upon visa expiration on April 21.