Hyderabad: The Secunderabad Cantonment Board is the only local body that has not suspended collection of toll tax and octroi, though the Centre had ordered their suspension till November 24, following the cash crunch after the demonetisation of high-value currency notes. The Hyderabad Metro-politan Development Authority suspended collection of toll on the Outer Ring Road after orders from minister K.T. Rama Rao.
A petition was submitted to the SCB chief executive officer to suspend the collection of toll and Octroi in the Cantonment area. “The Centre has told all state and national highways to suspend collection of toll. The directions apply to the Secunderabad Cantonment Board. However, the tax and octroi are being collected,” said Mr Jai Prakash, resident of the SCB and former board member .
The agency SD Adobes was given the contract to collect toll tax and octroi for 2016-17 by the SCB. Vehicles carrying goods entering the cantonment area have to pay toll tax and octroi, totalling 7 per cent of the goods bill. Over Rs 14 crore in revenues is generated through the collection of toll tax and octroi.
Asked about the Centre’s order, SCB officials told this newspaper that a letter had been issued to the agency to suspend collection of toll tax and octroi. However as late as on Saturday night, both toll tax and octroi were being collected.
