Slugfest over 'toilet tax' as Sukhu and BJP spar

AMID unrest over reports of a new tax to be levied on the number of toilet seats in a house, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu categorically denied imposing a "toilet tax" on Friday.

- HARPREET BAJWA

He assured the public that the government had taken steps to rationalise the water subsidy, a move aimed at ensuring financial stability, and decided to impose minimal charges of 100 per connection per month in rural areas. There is no such thing as toilet tax, Sukhu said.

According to sources, there are reports that the state government plans to impose a tax of 25 per toilet seat for residents of urban areas.

Meanwhile, the reported move has come under criticism from the BJP leadership.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “Unbelievable, if true! Whilst PM (Narendra) Modi ji builds Swachhata as a people's movement, here is Congress taxing people for toilets! Shame that they didn't provide good sanitation during their time, but this step will shame the country," the minister posted on 'X'.