₹25 Tax per Toilet Seat in Urban Households? Himachal Govt Sparks Row with Fee Order

Shimla: Himachal Presh government has stirred a controversy with its recent announcement of charging a fee of Rs 25 for each toilet seat constructed in urban households. As per reports, government led by Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, currently facing a financial crisis, issued a notification regarding sewerage and water bill. 

new toilet seat fee will be ded to sewerage bill, which is set at 30 per cent of water bill, and both fees will go to Jal Shakti Department. Starting in October. Meanwhile, Himachal government has also begun charging Rs 100 per month for each water connection, a change from previous lack of billing.

This decision has drawn widespre criticism from BJP leers. Taking a jibe at Congress -led Himachal government, BJP spokesperon Shehz Poonawalla said, “This is zenith of 'khatakhat' model of Congress party and Rahul Gandhi that now even toilets are not out of reach of this party. After petrol, diesel, milk, water, bus fares, and stamp duty, everything has been taxed after Congress has come to power in Himachal Presh and Karnataka... Big promises were me, and inste of fulfilling m, people were being me to pay price. Salaries and pensions of employees cannot be paid.”

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also expressed her disapproval on X, stating, “Unbelievable, if true! Whilst PM builds Swachhata as a people’s movement, here is Congress taxing people for toilets! Shame that y didn’t provide good sanitation during ir time, but this step will shame country!”

Following this, Jal Shakti Department of Himachal Presh government said “No such notification has been issued by present government that sewerage connections will be given on basis of number of seats installed by building owner. Sewerage connections will continue to be provided as before. Recently notification has been issued only regarding water charges, while all or things will remain same.”