The Himachal Pradesh Government has reduced the entry tax on passenger vehicles to Rs 100 from Rs 130. The tax on five-seater vehicles had been increased from Rs 70 to Rs 130, and from Rs 110 to Rs 130 on six-12 seater passenger vehicles. Now, both categories will have to shell out Rs 100 as tax.Besides, the government has decided to provide concessional passes to all people living within a radius of 5 km from the barrier. It will benefit people residing within the 5 km limit in the neighbouring states as well. A person will have to produce a certificate of residence within the prescribed distance to get the concessional pass from the SDM or the Tehsildar.According to the Excise Department, commercial light vehicles registered in the state have been exempted from paying the toll tax.The hike in entry tax had turned into a volatile issue with protests erupting in border areas against the move. The enhanced taxes were scheduled to come into effect from tonight. While raising the matter in the Assembly today, Randhir Sharma, BJP MLA, said some protesting groups in Punjab had threatened that vehicles from Himachal would not be allowed into Punjab from tomorrow.Responding to the concerns raised by Sharma, the Chief Minister said the government would withdraw the hike in entry tax on five-seater and six-12 seater vehicles. Later, the hike was rationalised, not completely withdrawn.While making a statement in the House, the Chief Minister said confusion was being spread in the border areas of Punjab and Haryana that the Himachal Government had significantly increased the toll tax. “I would like to share that the hike is not much. The tax was hiked only for heavy vehicles like three-excel trucks and trailers,” he said.