Jammed: City’s big ride

CHANDIGARH: In a city that roars on the distinction of having the hightest density of four-wheelers in the country, Union Budget would put a rude brake on the dreams of prospective buyers. For, excise duty on all vehicles has been increased from 10% to 12%.
This is likely to put an additional burden on the city residents, who had recently faced UT administration’s ire when road tax was made vehicle cost-dependent instead of the fixed Rs 2,500.
Even those who had booked vehicles months ago but hadn’t got the delivery till Thursday would now have to pay the increased excise duty.
After repetitive fuel price hike during last one year, the middle class would only find it more difficult to afford a car after the budget announcement.
Manpreet Randhawa, a middle class city resident, said, “I had booked a car over two months ago, but did not get the delivery till today. I will have to arrange more money now, which would be troublesome.”
Deepak Kalra, a businessman, said, “After increasing the train fare the government hiked the excise duty on all vehicles. This shows the government is least bothered about the lower and the middle classes.”
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