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The Himachal Pradesh government has found itself embroiled in a controversy over a proposed tax on the number of toilet seats in urban homes. The uproar began after media reports surfaced suggesting a fee of Rs 25 per toilet seat would be levied in addition to the sewerage bill, causing public and political outcry. The government swiftly denied the existence of such a tax, claiming it was an old notification that was withdrawn on the same day it was issued. This denial, however, has failed to quell the controversy.
The alleged notification stated that the sewerage bill would be 30 percent of the water bill, and those using their own water sources and only the government's sewerage connection would be charged Rs 25 per toilet seat monthly. The department allegedly issued orders to divisional officers to implement this policy. The government has maintained that the notification only addressed water charges, and that sewerage connections would continue to be provided as before. However, the mention of a Rs 25 fee per toilet seat in the context of sewerage connections, even if it was not a mandatory charge, sparked outrage.
The political opposition seized upon the issue, with the BJP vehemently criticizing the Congress-led government. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman took to social media to express her disbelief and termed the move as shameful, particularly given the emphasis on sanitation under the current government's 'Swachhata' campaign. Amit Malviya, BJP IT Cell head, called the move bizarre and highlighted the contrast between PM Modi's efforts in building toilets and the alleged tax imposed by the Congress. The controversy has brought to light the complexities of implementing new policies, the importance of clear communication, and the sensitivity of issues related to sanitation and public finances.
Source: Will Himachal Govt Tax You According to How Many Toilet Seats You Have? Big Row Erupts