The imposition of ‘ Khalsa Tax ‘ on the border of Himachal and Punjab at Kiratpur Sahib by certain ‘Nihang Sinkhs’ , in response to entry tax being charged by Himachal Pradesh government from vehicles entering the state , has created a new controversy .
The residents of Punjab living near the Himachal Pradesh on the other side of Kiratpur sahib border have been opposing the Himachal entry tax for vehicles coming to Himachal as many people enter the border for their personal reasons, besides tourists and religious groups to visit different religious places of the state.
The residents of the area have been agitating for quite some time to oppose the entry tax and have held dharna and protests at Kiratppur sahib border and on a few occasions vehicles coming from Himachal Pradesh were also stopped on the border.
Many residents have also been demanding a similar entry tax from vehicles coming from Himachal Pradesh by the Punjab government as a reciprocal measure, but the Punjab government has not imposed entry tax.
The controversy took a new turn on Wednesday when a group of Nihnag Sikhs started collecting voluntary contributions from Himachal number vehicles at Kiratpur sahib border on Kiratpur- Manali National Highway as a symbolic protest in response to Rs 100 entry tax collected by Himachal Pradesh government.
Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi condemned the collection of ‘Khalsa tax’ by a group of Nihang Sikhs from vehicles entering from Himachal to Punjab through Kiratpur sahib border.
Talking to media persons at Shimla on Thursday, the minister said, “It’s illegal and irrational and we strongly condemn it and the Punjab government will look into the matter.”
“The entry tax by the state government has been charged for many years and even the previous BJP government in the state was charging it,” he stated.
He said, “There seems to be a conspiracy behind the move to collect khalsa tax after a few tourists from Punjab were arrested at Kasol for firing on a local youth with an unlicensed revolver.”
Meanwhile Punjab Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains said, “The Punjab Chief Minister Harbhajan Mann and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu have discussed the matter and the issue will be resolved soon.
