Pay more, taxing time begins

NEW DELHI: It's the start of a new financial year and the 'aam aadmi' will have to pay more as a host of duty and fare hikes come into effect from Sunday.


The 2 per cent increase in service and excise duty has taken effect.


Eating out may leave you a few pounds heavier but your pockets will be lighter.


All luxury items including cars and beauty spa treatment will cost more.


Companies are expected to increase the prices of air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machine and microwave ovens by 3 to 4 per cent.


The prices of LCD and LED TV sets will also go up by 2 per cent. Air fares are increasing as well.


The railway passengers haven't been spared either. Those travelling by AC first class, second class and AC chair car will have to pay more as the hike in fares has come into effect.


Those who have already booked tickets for travel starting after April 1st, will have to pay the the difference in fares to ticket collector on trains or at booking offices before the commencement of their journey.


As per the decision, passenger fares will be increased 10 paise per km in first class, 15 paisa per km for AC 2 and 30 paisa per km for AC 1 from April 1.


The platform ticket is also to cost Rs 5 from Sunday, said the official.


Though there was proposal for fare hike in all classes including AC III, sleeper class, suburban and second class in the Rail Budget, new Railway Minister Mukul Roy decided for partial roll back of fares in these classes.


Railways have earned Rs 28,000 crore revenue from passenger fares in 2011-12. The national transporter was aiming to earn Rs 36,000 crore in 2012-13 with the five per cent expected growth in passenger volume in 2012-13 and the hike in all classes as proposed by the former Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi.


However, now with the roll back in major classes like AC III and second class, railways is expected to earn only Rs 400 crore from the hike in AC 1, AC 2 and first class fares.


The revised fare list is being displayed at all stations for public and the changed fare tables are also available on the ministry website, said the official.