Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister responds to toilet seat tax claims

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu clarified today that there was no “toilet tax” in the state of Himachal Pradesh amidst outcry over allegations that residents would now be taxed based on the quantity of toilet seats they have in their homes.

According to reports, the Himachal government is planning to charge city dwellers ₹ 25 for each toilet seat. According to rumours that Mr. Sukhu called “baseless,” each residence will pay a 25 percent “toilet tax” on top of the ₹ 100 water price.

Toilet Tax: What Did the Leaders Say

“Before the (assembly) elections, the BJP held a rally in Himachal Pradesh where they promised free water meters, saying there would be no charge for water consumption. We proposed a subsidy of ₹ 100 per family for water, which included five-star hotels as well. Only those who can afford it are paying. There is no such thing as toilet tax,” the Congress leader informed reporters.

The new fee has extended its reach to include major hotel companies. “Those who are doubting the decision need to grasp the economics first,” the news agency IANS cited him as saying.

His response followed criticism of the Congress government by a number of BJP leaders, including Union Finance Nirmala Sitharaman.

“Unbelievable, if true! Whilst PM (Narendra) Modi ji builds Swachhata as a people’s movement, here is Congress taxing people for toilets! Shame that they didn’t provide good sanitation during their time, but this step will shame the country,” Nirmala Sitharaman wrote on X.

In addition to criticising Congress, BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh said that the Himachal Pradesh government was “continuously imposing new taxes and restrictions on the people”.

He told the news agency IANS, “This is a reflection of the economic bankruptcy, policy bankruptcy, and mental bankruptcy of the Himachal government.”

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