Members of the Nihang organisation Tarna Dal on Wednesday began collecting what they termed a “Khalsa Tax” from vehicles entering Punjab from Himachal Pradesh, protesting against the entry tax imposed by the neighbouring hill state.
The collection drive started near Kiratpur Sahib on the Kullu-Manali highway, where Nihang volunteers stopped vehicles and sought contributions from motorists. Tarna Dal leader Nihang Achhar Singh said the organisation was charging Rs 100 from cars and other small vehicles, Rs 200 from light commercial vehicles and between Rs 300 and Rs 500 from larger vehicles.
He also announced plans to stage a road blockade near Morda village on the same highway later in the day to intensify the protest against the Himachal Pradesh government’s taxation policy.
Responding to questions over the legality of the collection, Achhar Singh said the money would be used for “Sarbat da Bhala” (the welfare of all) and claimed that no vehicle owner would be forced to pay. He distinguished the move from toll collection by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), stating that highway tolls are linked to road construction and maintenance, whereas, according to him, Himachal Pradesh was imposing an unjustified burden on travellers.
The Nihang leader warned both the Punjab and Himachal Pradesh governments against attempting to stop the campaign. “If anyone tries to stop us, they should come fully prepared because we are also ready for a struggle,” he said.
The controversy stems from Himachal Pradesh’s entry tax system, which has been in place since 1975 under the Himachal Pradesh Tolls Act. The levy is collected from vehicles entering the state through designated entry points.
The issue gained prominence after the Himachal Pradesh government revised toll and entry tax rates in recent years. In 2025, the state approved a modest increase in charges for private and commercial vehicles. Subsequently, in February 2026, it announced a new toll policy proposing significant hikes across several vehicle categories, including private cars, tractors, taxis and goods carriers.
The proposed increase triggered strong opposition, particularly in Punjab and Haryana, from where a large number of tourists and transporters travel to Himachal Pradesh. Protesters argued that the revised rates would place an additional financial burden on commuters and commercial operators.
Amid mounting criticism, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu intervened on March 31, 2026, and the government rolled back the proposed increase for private cars and certain passenger vehicles. However, the broader debate over the entry tax has continued.
According to the current structure, vehicles such as cars, jeeps and vans are charged Rs 100 upon entry into Himachal Pradesh, while vehicles with six to 12 seats pay Rs 130. Tractors are charged Rs 100, and heavy vehicles can be charged up to Rs 800.