Gandhinagar: New Chief Minister Vijay Rupani in a TV channel interview was non-committal on toll tax exemption to small vehicles from 15 August. He however said the announcement regarding same will be implemented.

Rupani in response to specific question regarding Anandiben’s announcement on toll tax exemption to small vehicles stated: “We will implement all that previous Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had announced in upcoming days. To say(commit) 15 August(as implementation date) is bit difficult for me, but we are surely thinking in that direction and trying (to implement) it in upcoming days.”

Meanwhile in another TV channel interview, Rupani said, “we are looking into it and we will try to make it functional by 15 August.”

Outgoing Chief Minister Anandiben Patel had made announcement in one of her public functions just two days before her resignation that toll tax for small private vehicles will be removed from 15 August. There was however no further clarity available on her this announcement. Whether toll tax will go from only state government operated toll roads? It will go exactly for which types of vehicles? Whether cars on taxi permit will get relief or just private car will get relief? Such questions remained unanswered. In response to media’s query on same day, then Transport minister Vijay Rupani had welcomed Anandiben’s announcement and clarified that private small vehicles in which families move will be exempted from toll.

Exemption on toll tax for small vehicles was one of the most popular announcements of the state government probably since removal of Octroi. If on Maharahstra pattern, state government decide to pay toll tax to operators on behalf of public, it will bring huge financial burden to govt. Government apprehends that hasty move to implement the decision announced by previous Chief Minister can invite petition in court. The decision has to be taken after study covering all aspects.

DeshGujarat