The State Government’s recent tax policy announcement has taken citizens aback, mandating additional payments for celebrating Bihu, organizing public rallies, and conducting public meetings.
The notice specifies new fees, including Rs 300 for cultural processions, events, Bihu, and ceremonies; Rs 2,000 for political rallies and meetings; Rs 2,000 for sporting events; Rs 500 for street plays and awareness rallies; Rs 5,000 for trade fairs and food fairs; Rs 50,000 for commercial construction permission in Guwahati and Rs 25,000 in other areas; Rs 10,000 for opening petrol pumps and gas agencies; Rs 300 for private employment verification; Rs 300 for rented accommodation and PG verification; and Rs 300 for workers’ construction verification.
The Assam Police Sewa portal now requires citizens to pay the revised and increased taxes directly, whereas previously, the government received the majority of these taxes.
Citizens are taken aback by the unexpected new tax policy, and opposition parties are criticizing the Assam state government for imposing excessive burdens on the people.
Political figures, including Congress’s Mira Borthakur, have condemned the BJP-led government under CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, alleging a lack of economic growth and accusing the government of extracting funds from citizens to sustain their debt-laden administration.
