JIJI JOHN THOMAS Parambil Puthenpura,
Kavumbhagom P.O.
Thiruvalla – 689 102
The decision of the Kerala State government to impose SESS to all vehicles to raise amount to the ‘road security fund’ is quite unjustifiable and should be withdrawn. All vehicles are already paying tax and it’s inappropriate to charge them again, be it in another name or (proclaim it) for another cause.
The authorities didn’t take care the tough criticism arose when they altered the yearly tax to one time tax. Now after a few years there is absolutely no justification in imposing another tax, in a new name, for not having adequate operational funds.
Considering that Kerala have at least 30 lakhs two wheelers (30, 00, 000 * 50 = 15 crores), 8 lakhs cars/ autos (8, 00, 000 * 100 =8 crores), 5 lakhs medium vehicles (5, 00, 000 * 150 = 7.5 crores) 4 lakhs heavy vehicles – Lorries / buses (4, 00, 000 * 250 = 10 crores), its visible the proposal is targeting a collection of minimum 40.5 crores. The actual number may be much higher.
What’s the guarantee that after collecting this SESS again at once, the future governments won’t introduce any other tax, with a yet new name, in ‘short of funds’!
It’s an unhealthy practice to collect all feasible revenues at once, and later running out of funds. The government should withdraw the move to introduce the SESS to all vehicles for raising road security fund.
JIJI JOHN THOMAS,
Kavumbhagom, Thiruvalla
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