Eleven day long strike by Manali taxi operators ended on Thursday, May 29, 2015 with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) providing partial relief by removing the exorbitant environment tax for vehicles going to Rohtang Pass.
The strike ended Thursday evening in Manali following NGT order of granting stay for levying environment tax.
Taxis remained off road in entire Himachal Pradesh in support of the Manali taxi operators which were protesting against the imposition of environment tax on vehicles traveling to Rohtang Pass. NGT had earlier imposed environment tax of Rs. 1000/ for petrol vehicles, Rs. 2500/ for diesel vehicles upto 5 seats and Rs. 5000/ for vehicles above 6 seats.
The NGT in it’s order gave partial relief by removing the environment tax but did not remove the cap of 1000 vehicles reaching Rohtang Pass. The taxi operators have been demanding the cap to be increased to 2000 vehicles.
“As per May 5 order of tribunal, each of vehicle which is permitted to Rohtang Pass for tourism purpose shall pay environmental compensation at the rate of Rs.1,000 for petrol vehicle and Rs.2,500 for diesel vehicles environmental compensation is stayed till next date of hearing,” a bench headed by judicial member Justice U.D. Salvi said.
It listed the matter for next hearing on June 8.
With the strike been called off tourists can now visit Manali and Rohtang Pass and go ahead with their vacation plans in Himachal Pradesh.
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