Unified Road Tax system - One Nation One Tax for Vehicles

My first write up for year 2021 comes after a long break. I am elated hearing this proposal from Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and want to share this to bigger audience, though waiting for the implementation of this bill.

Before venturing into details we all have to appreciate Shri Nitin Jairam Gadkari for his tireless work and have put in significant efforts in his power as Minister of Road Transport and Highways. I wanted this guy to be PM in 2019 when the talks were high during 2019 elections but caste and political mileage are twins in Indian politics and our current PM being an OBC was favored. Let us not dive into politics.

One Nation One Road Tax is proposed to make one road tax across the country just like the Goods and services tax. Currently, there are different taxes across the country in different states according to the pre-decided rates but now it is being discussed to apply a single rate of road tax across the nation.

Currently the tax are as high as 18% in Karnataka and Maharashtra to 4% in Rajasthan. Some use Invoice value others like Karnataka, Delhi use ex show room price that is Invoice +GST and apply the % for Road Tax. Do we have better roads for the tax being paid, that is a BIG ??. 

The Automobile industry has been pushing for a uniform road tax structure. This is a concern for most of the states and union governments that the manufacturing of vehicles is getting impacted due to the different taxation systems. Hence a uniform taxation system will create an even playing field for the states and the union territories. 

Altering the revenue system can affect the state’s revenue and that is why the states have been opposing the implementation of the uniform system of taxation of road tax. 

The Government is set to release a new system of taxation very soon which will be unifying the road tax. This will help protect the revenue of the state. Road Tax is paid during the registration of the vehicle in a particular state. The Centre is trying to make the states on board sharing the vehicle registration data on the Vahan Website.

New Proposal is on Invoice value only and that,

All personal vehicles, the tax should be 8% for a vehicle costing under ₹10 lakh, 10% for a vehicle costing between ₹10 lakh and ₹20 lakh and 12% for a vehicle costing more over ₹20 lakh

For example assume a car with Invoice value of 10 lakh and GST of 4 Lakh, in the current system we will end up paying 2.5 lakh whereas now we will pay 1.0 lakh savings of 1.5 lakh.

Other proposal is also being tabled along with this is that an All India registration and the road tax will be for minimum 2 years (prorated), not for life time. Assume if you move to other state after 2 years you can pay prorata tax in that state for 2 years and continue. You will also have a choice of your registration where you can choose an India Registration and not confined to any particular state. The new Vehicle number will look like this.

But for taking India registration there is an eligibility clause and it states that the person should be working in Central Government, Defense and in case of private sector employees then the organization should have offices in minimum 5 states in India. Others are excluded from getting the privilege of an Indian registration.

With a request will end this that let it be for all without any exceptions.

Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati Swami - 13th Acharya

Adhishtanam of Sri Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati Swami, the 13th Acharya of Sri Kanchi Kamakoti peetam from AD 235 to 272 is at Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Koil Katharikuppam.

Katharikuppam is a small village near Ranipet, 15 Kms from Ponnai River Iron Bridge and if anyone want I can share map.

History:

Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati Swamigal, Like his predecessor gave up his peetathipathi status as 13th Acharya and appointed his successor and wandered around Kanchipuram as Avadhuthar. After 32 years of wandering he reached this place and disapperead in this temple and his mortal frame got transformed into a Linga.

Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwarar Koil is a small temple in the village Katharikuppam, where you can find the Brindhavanam of 13th Acharya. Another Brindhavanam adjacent to temple near the pond is of a sidhar who served Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati Swamigal. This siddhar was instrumental in bringing out the details of 13th Acharya by Deiva Prashanam, during that he revealed that Sri Satchidghanendra Saraswati Swamigal is the 13th acharya of Kamakoti peetam and other details.

Background of this event:

Group of students from the age of 8 to 70 are learning Vedas in Chennai and their Guru decided to perform Mahanyasa Rudhram Parayanam, Abishegam and Rudhra Homam at this temple on Sunday the Feb 21st 2021. They requested Sri Veda Moorthy Trust Bangalore, if the Mahaperiva Vigraham can be brought to this event from Bangalore and the same was accepted by trustees. Since most of the trustees were occupied I got a request to accompany one of the trustee for this event. I accepeted the offer, we started around 4 in the morning and reached the place as per schdule. You can find the event in the attached video link.

The temple itself is very small but the vibrations you receive are something you have to experience to believe, privileged to get that experience. It was electrifying when reciting vedas adding to the vibrations.

Blessed Couples:

I have to mention about 2 blessed souls, Shri Rajappa and Smt Geetha. Shri Rajappa retired from a very senior position in L&T and Smt Geetha was Chief Secy to Tamil Nadu Government. In 2005 she took VRS (early by 2 years) and constructed a house opposite to temple to take care it. Later with the entire retirement benefits, they managed to renovate the two thousand year old temple and also did Kumbabishegam with little or no help from outsiders. Now with the monthly pension they are managing the day-to-day expenses of both household and temple. ( Please see last few minutes of Video)

Shri Rajappa shared some facts and would like to highlight a few

1. When we placed the Mahaperiva vigraham (brought from Bangalore) near Adhishtanam, it happened to be the same place where he sat physically in 1973 when HE visited this temple. It was coincidental and surprised the village people.

2. Pond adjacent to temple had very little water when Mahaperiva visited this place in 1973 where he wanted to stay for few days. Due to non-availabity of water he took a handful of water and sprayed on his head and was about to leave this village. It started to rain heavily and pond got filled up to the brim.

3. It seems where Siddhars and Yatis are present you can find lot of Athi and Parasa trees with white Erukkai. You can find huge numbers(100s) around this temple and pond area.

Both shared their experiences with utmost humility and I had a wonderful time. I was engulfed in their experiences that failed me in capturing a video of them that I realized later. Will do definitely in my next visit. He also expressed that I look very familiar to him and he felt a strong connect between us. He also shared his contact and requested me to visit again with family.

The entire team close to 50 in size left the place around 15.00 hrs after a tasty lunch and Thamboolam from the couples. We both drove back to Bangalore with Periva and reached in the night, all along remembering the wonderful experience of the day. Thanks to the trust to provide me an opportunity to serve and get this privilege.

Would like to end by sharing the edited video so that you can watch the event virtually.

Video Link