The state transport department has planned tax revamp for commercial and private vehicles. In a major overhaul, the department has done away with realising taxes under various heads. It will now be charging `composite' tax from all sorts of vehicles under tax net.

Commercial vehicles will now be paying one `composite' tax instead of road tax and additional tax which was the practice so far. "It has been done to save vehicle owners the undue paper work, filling so many forms and running from one office to another," said sources.

Smaller commercial vehicles mostly pay small volume of taxes. "Paying them every three months can be done away with," added sources.

The owners of small commercial vehicles have also been extended the option to pay the "lump-sum" one-time tax and obtain a rebate of 10% from the department.

In order to add to the quality and comfort level of city bus service, city buses have been completely exempted from the additional tax. "Out of all the taxes that these buses pay, additional tax amounts to 70%," said sources. The number of city buses has not increased and is still short of the requirement. Besides, the newer city buses will have to pay lesser tax compared to older buses.

This might help towards weeding out older and unfit vehicles. So far department was realising taxes as per the operation, (km-distance that buses have operated for). Buses paying lump-sum tax for a year might get a rebate of 10%.

All vehicles plying on contract for schools, factories and educational institutions have been given 50% rebate in taxes. In order to encourage tourism, taxes on tourist buses and taxis from other states will be reduced.

The battery-operated private vehicles and those running on solar energy will also be exempted from tax. Besides, some stricter provisions have also been planned. The surrendered vehicles, when caught plying, will have to shell out five times the current penalty. Besides, extra tax will be levied on private vehicles operating as hired vehicles.

State will not realise any tax from CNG-operated taxis holding permit to ply in NCR. This has been done under the agreement between Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan and national capital region Delhi.