The Himachal government stated that no order had been issued to collect sewage connection fees based on the number of toilet seats.

Himachal government denies BJP's 'toilet tax' charges: No such order issued

Reports claimed that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government in Himachal Pradesh had ordered citizens to pay sewage connection fees per toilet seat in their homes. The government refuted these claims, saying no such order was issued.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Himachal government refutes BJP's 'toilet tax' criticism
  • Says no notification for sewage charges based on toilet seats
  • BJP leaders, including Nirmala Sitharaman, slams Congress government

The Himachal Pradesh government on Friday refuted reports claiming that citizens would be charged for sewage connections based on the number of toilet seats in their homes. The government clarified that no such order had been issued and that the only notification was related to water charges.

Recent reports alleged that the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government had ordered citizens to pay sewage connection fees per toilet seat in their homes, as the state faces a financial crisis. BJP leaders criticised the government for the so-called "toilet tax," calling it a bizarre and shameful move.

"The Jal Shakti Department of Himachal Pradesh refutes the news published in the media, which claims that sewage connections will be provided based on the number of toilet seats installed by the building owner. It is clarified that no such notification has been issued by the present government," a statement from the government read.

The statement further added, "Sewage connections will continue to be provided as before," and emphasised that "The recent notification pertains only to water charges, and all other conditions remain unchanged."

The government's clarification came after BJP leaders, including Union Ministers, criticised the alleged order.

Calling it an “unbelievable” move, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, asserted that the “step will shame the country”.

“Unbelievable, if true! Whilst âæPM Narendra Modi âé ji, builds Swachhata as a people’s movement, here is âæCongress âé taxing people for toilets! Shame that they didn’t provide good sanitation during their time, but this step will shame the country!,” Sitharaman tweeted.

Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP spokesperson, took a swipe at Congress, saying, “Now Congress won’t even let you to go to toilet in peace”.

BJP leader Amit Malvya said this “is what ‘crap’ leadership does”. He said, “In a bizarre move, the Congress Govt in HP will now tax citizens based on number of toilet seats they have at home. You read that right - number of toilet seats! PM Modi is building toilets, Congress is taxing them”.