Punjab’s unaided technical institutes seek tax-free status,threaten stir

The Punjab Unaided Technical Institution Association (PUTIA) has demanded tax-free status to its institutions in view of their deteriorating financial condition. At a special meeting held on Friday,the promoters of around 100 such institutions threatened to launch a stir if the state government failed to meet their demand. PUTIA president Dr J S Dhaliwal said their institutes had always contributed in the development of the state. “Despite being included in the category of charitable trust organisation,educational institutes have to pay so many taxes,such as VAT,change of land use,external development charges and stamp duty,” he said,demanding that their institutes should also not be charged commercial rate of electricity and transport.