Uttarakhand
Govt. Services will Become Costlier by 5 % Every Year in the State: Order Issued to Increase User Charges
- 25 Jul 2023
- 3 min read
Why in News?
According to information received from the media on July 22, 2023, the user charges being collected in lieu of government services being provided in Uttarakhand will now become five percent costlier on April 1 every year. Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar has issued an order in this regard.
Key Points:
- It is known that user fee means any such fee, which is being collected through various departments or agencies.
- It has been said in the order that due to regular small increases in fees, people will not be burdened one time and funds will also be received for repair and maintenance of public services. Till now there was a tendency to collect user fees at the level of departments at intervals of three to five years, which appeared to be a lump sum.
- All the departments will have to compulsorily provide the facility of UPI to collect user charges through their respective web portal app. The order states that it is necessary to link the user fee rates to the prevailing market inflation.
- Only the state cabinet will have the right to reduce the rate of increase in user charge below five percent. He can reduce the revised rates on reasonable offers.
- According to the order, if it is justified and practical to increase the user charges of any service by more than five percent, then the departments will be able to do so. The revised rates will be applicable in such a way as to cover the cost of operation and upgradation of the unit.
- It is worth noting that in hospitals, the user charge is collected in lieu of many other departmental services including slip fee, disease test fee, driving license and its renewal, RC, transfer of vehicles, income certificate, permanent residence certificate, copy of account-khatauni, copy of the registry, drinking water bill, which will increase by five percent on April 1.
- According to sources in the finance department, property tax will also increase by five per cent on April 1 of every financial year. The Finance Department will issue a separate order for this.
