Guwahati, 22nd November: Congress leader Bhupen Borah has questioned the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) about whether the recent tax hike implemented by the BJP-led government will translate into an increase in their vote share in the Lok Sabha elections.
In response to Cabinet Minister Pijush Hazarika’s confidence in the Diphu and Kokrajhar seats, Borah raised concerns, stating, “If you keep on increasing the tax will the vote also increase…if the price of commodity keeps on increasing will the vote share also increase…on the otherhand, if unemployment in the state keeps on rising will the vote share go up for BJP…they should think on these lines also.”
Addressing Borah’s claim of Congress confidence in winning the Diphu and Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seats, Assam cabinet minister Pijush Hazarika declared on November 21 that if Congress secures victory in these constituencies, he would refrain from contesting future elections.
The State Government’s newly released tax policy has left citizens surprised. The notice specifies increased fees for various permissions, such as Rs 300 for cultural processions, events, and ceremonies, Rs 2,000 for political rallies, Rs 2,000 for sporting events, Rs 500 for street plays and awareness rallies, and Rs 5,000 for trade fairs and food fairs.
Additionally, there’s a Rs 50,000 charge in Guwahati for commercial construction permission and Rs 25,000 in other parts of the state. The revised policy also imposes fees for opening petrol pumps, gas agencies, private employment verification, rented accommodation, and worker verification in construction, sparking surprise among the citizens who were accustomed to the previous tax structure.
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