Himachal imposes ‘Land Revenue Cess’ on Punjab; Mann Govt strongly opposes move
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, January 6, 2026: In a fresh inter-state dispute, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to impose a new “Land Revenue Cess” on Punjab, a move that is expected to place an additional financial burden of nearly ₹200 crore on the state. Media reports indicate that Haryana and Rajasthan will also be affected by the levy.
This development comes close on the heels of an earlier controversy over the “Water Cess” imposed by Himachal Pradesh, which had put an estimated ₹400 crore burden on Punjab. That levy was later struck down by the Himachal Pradesh High Court as illegal.
According to available information, the Himachal government has now introduced a land revenue cess, prompting strong opposition from the Punjab government.
Reacting sharply, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab spokesperson Neil Garg termed the move a direct attack on Punjab’s finances and said the Mann government would oppose it on every possible platform.
Garg alleged that the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government had earlier laid claim to Chandigarh and has now imposed the land revenue cess, further straining relations between the two states. He also questioned the Punjab Congress’s position on the issue, asking whether it stood with Punjab or supported the Himachal government.
Calling for the Centre’s intervention, Garg said the central government should step in to resolve the matter. He added that the Punjab government would write to the Himachal Pradesh government demanding withdrawal of the land revenue cess.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi defended the decision, stating that the state has the legal right to collect land revenue on its own land. He dismissed Punjab’s objections as “absurd” and said Himachal Pradesh itself has been facing injustice for a long time.