Swacch Bharat cess: Hike in upper class Railway fares from today

Railway fares for travel in the upper class categories will go up by 4.35 per cent from today as passengers have to pay the newly-levied Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5 per cent more in service tax

New Delhi: Railway fares for travel in the upper class categories will go up by 4.35 per cent from today as passengers have to pay the newly-levied Swachh Bharat cess of 0.5 per cent more in service tax.

According to a rail ministry circular, fares will go up by 4.35 per cent for First Class and all AC Classes.

Service tax and Swachh Bharat cess are chargeable on 30 per cent total passenger fare. However, the service tax will not be applicable for tickets issued before 15th of November. The Ministry said the levy will not be applicable for general and sleeper class travel.

The government had proposed to levy Swachh Bharat cess at the rate of 0.50 per cent on all services with effect from today, which are presently liable to Service Tax.

According to an estimate, the service tax levy and the Swachh Bharat cess are expected to fetch about 1,000 crore rupees in a year. Annual earnings for railways from the passenger segment are estimated to be at about 35,000 crore rupees.

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