Patna: Civic bodies in Bihar have been barred from collecting road tax, entry service charges or tolls from heavy vehicles until the state govt frames and enforces the required rules and regulations, urban development and housing minister Nitish Mishra said on Thursday.He said urban local bodies (ULBs) could impose such levies only in accordance with rules framed under the Bihar Municipal Act, 2007. However, the department is yet to frame rules or regulations for the collection of road tax.“Until the rules are framed and come into effect, collection of road tax by ULBs under any name, form or mode is completely prohibited,” Mishra said.The minister said the department had issued similar instructions several times, clearly directing municipal bodies not to collect road tax, entry service charges or tolls until the required rules were in place.“Despite this, the department has received reports of some ULBs collecting money from heavy vehicles by describing it as entry service charges, tolls or under other names,” he said.Taking serious note of the matter, the department has directed all municipal commissioners and executive officers of municipal councils and nagar panchayats to immediately stop such collections and ensure strict compliance with its orders.Mishra warned that officials would be held accountable if any ULB continued to collect road tax or similar charges in violation of the instructions. The concerned municipal commissioner or executive officer would face disciplinary action as per rules, he said.The minister directed all ULBs to strictly follow departmental orders and refrain from any unauthorised collection from vehicles until the necessary rules and regulations are framed and implemented.The department will also monitor complaints and cases related to such collections and take action against violations, Mishra added.
