MLA Dinesh Chadha strongly raises the issue of imposing entry tax in Punjab on the lines of Himachal in the Assembly

MLA Dinesh Chadha strongly raises the issue of imposing entry tax in Punjab on the lines of Himachal in the Assembly

Bahadurjeet Singh/royalpatiala.in News/ Chandigarh, March 11,2026

During the ongoing budget session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, Rupnagar MLA Advocate Dinesh Chadha strongly raised the issue of entry tax being imposed by the Himachal Pradesh government. Presenting his views in the Assembly, he said that when the Himachal Pradesh government has been collecting entry tax for a long time from four-wheeler vehicles entering its state, then the Punjab government should also consider imposing entry tax on vehicles coming into Punjab from other states.

MLA Chadha stated that in the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, a large amount of money is collected every day in the form of entry tax from travelers and tourists coming from Punjab as well as other states of the country. He argued that when people of Punjab have to pay this tax while entering Himachal Pradesh, the Punjab government should also seriously consider adopting similar measures to increase the state’s revenue.

Responding to the question raised by MLA Chadha, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that the entry tax imposed by the Himachal Pradesh government has been implemented under the special status and certain administrative powers granted to that state. He added that Himachal Pradesh, being a special category state, enjoys certain legal provisions that allow it to impose such taxes.

However, after this response, MLA Dinesh Chadha clarified his stand again and argued that the entry tax imposed in Himachal Pradesh is not based on the state’s special status but has been implemented under the Himachal Pradesh Toll Act, 1975. He explained that the Himachal government passed a state act in its Assembly and imposed this tax at its border points, under which fees are collected from vehicles entering the state from outside.

Continuing the discussion, MLA Chadha also asked the Finance Minister whether the Punjab government would consider examining the legal aspects in the future and bringing a similar law so that entry tax could also be imposed on vehicles entering Punjab from other states, thereby increasing the state’s revenue.

In response, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said in the Assembly that MLA Dinesh Chadha himself is a lawyer by profession and can provide detailed legal advice on the matter. He stated that if MLA Chadha meets him regarding this issue, a meeting can be held with the concerned departmental officials and other ministers to examine the legal aspects of the matter.

Cheema also assured that if it is legally possible to take such a step, the Punjab government will certainly consider the matter seriously and a decision could be taken to impose entry tax on vehicles coming from other states into Punjab, similar to Himachal Pradesh.

The issue raised in the Assembly has now become an important subject of discussion in relation to increasing the state’s revenue and managing border regulations.