The bill allows authorities to levy an annual fee from vehicles registered in Karnataka even though it is a one-time visit. Onmanorama/File photoKalpetta: As the provisions of the finance bill came into force, all taxis and carrier vehicles, including buses and cars, from other states would now have to pay three to four times of the taxes they were paying so far to enter Kerala.
There are concerns that the move would stifle the flow of tourists to the state while revenue for the state could increase from the move. Pilgrims would also find it costlier to complete their visits to Kerala.
The bill allows authorities to levy an annual fee from vehicles registered in Karnataka even though it is a one-time visit. The same treatment is being meted out by Karnataka.
Tourist vehicles with normal seats that come to Kerala with a special permit and vehicles with All India permit would have to pay Rs 2250 per person. If the seat is push-back type, visitors would have to pay Rs 3500 per seat. Earlier, it was Rs 150 and Rs 200 respectively.
Vehicles that come to Kerala with All India Permit would be levied tax for three months. However, vehicles registered in Karnataka would have to pay tax for a whole year.
Those vehicles that enter the state with a special permit would be levied a three-month tax for single entry. For a few days' visit, they would be charged one-third of the three-month tax value, or 1/10th of the same. If they enter the state once more, they would be charged more.
The rate hike would be approximately thus:
A 35-push-back seater bus registered in another state and having an All India permit would have to pay a three-month tax of Rs 1,22,500 (3500 X 35). If the vehicle is registered in Karnataka, the fee would be for a 12-month tax, which is about Rs 4,90,000.
Vehicles that enter the state with a seven-day special permit would have to pay a per-head charge of 1/10th of Rs 3500, which would be Rs 350 X 35=Rs 12,250. Karnataka vehicles taking the special permit would also be treated thus.
