Santoshgarh/Una, February 27: On Friday, people from Punjab and Himachal Pradesh held a hunger strike at the Anmol Kalia entry gate in Mehatpur, organized by the Ilaka Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, to protest the steep increase in entry toll tax in Himachal Pradesh.
Ilaka Bachao Morcha convenors Advocate Paramjit Singh Pamma, Advocate Nishant Gupta, Raman Sharma, Advocate Kuldeep Chand, Davinder Gandhi, and Ram Kumar Sharma stated that entry toll tax barriers have been set up at various locations along the border with Himachal Pradesh, where vehicles with non-Himachali registration numbers are charged for entering the state. They termed this as indirect economic exploitation of the people of the border areas.
They stated that many people from areas bordering Punjab have family ties to Himachal Pradesh, but even to visit their relatives, people have to pay toll tax. The steep increase in toll tax rates over the past few years has placed an additional financial burden on the general public.
The leaders said this is also impacting the state's trade, as people in border areas are avoiding shopping in Himachal due to the toll tax. They pointed out that while the central government has issued a pass for ?3,000 for travel on the national highway, allowing one to cross approximately 200 toll plazas, the Himachal government is issuing a pass for ?7,000 for one year.
The protesters alleged that tourists visiting Himachal are being charged various taxes, making them feel uncomfortable. They said that despite paying taxes, essential amenities are not provided.
President of the Vyapar Mandal Mehtpur, Subhash Eri, Councilor Deepak Nanda, Transporter leader Vinay Sharma, Sanatan Dharma leader Raman Sharma, Valmiki Sabha representative Rakesh Chaudhary, Aam Aadmi Party leader Nishant Gupta, Comrade Vikram, Joginder Rana, Tarsem Sahota, Baba Surinder Ji, President of Charan Shobha Ganga Khuralgarh Sahib, and Advocate Deepak Chandel, along with other dignitaries, were present on the occasion. 
The protesters warned that if the Himachal government did not withdraw this decision soon, the agitation would be intensified further.