Several positions on social networks claim that the Punjab government has increased the registration fees for motorcycles, electric bikes, weapons licenses, new electrical connections for houses and water costs for farmers.
Some of these claims are false, while others are deceptive.
Claim
On April 16, a social media user on Facebook published a message in Ourdou claiming that the Punjab government had increased several costs:
- Motorcycle registration fees went from RS1,500 to RS7,400
- Recording of the electric bike from RS50 to RS2,865
- Weapon license fees from RS4,000 to Rs48,000
- New interior electricity connection from RS7,600 to RS24,000
- Annual irrigation water costs (Abiana) for farmers from RS600 by ACRE to RS2,200 by Acre
- Moto fitness certificate fees will be RS1,000 from July 1
The allegations concerning the increase in arms license costs, the registration of the motorcycle, the fitness certificates, the water costs and the electrical connections are deformed. Here is what we have verified:
Weapons licenses – RS48,000?
Tauseef Sabih Gondal, spokesperson for the Punjab House department, said De facto check This weapon license has not been issued since April 2024 due to a continuous ban.
He added that since no new license has been issued, the costs have not changed either.
Although online publications claim that the new costs are RS48,000, Gondal said that before the ban (during the goalkeeper’s government in 2023), the costs were in fact 50,000 rupees, not RS48,000.
RS7 400 motorcycle registration fees?
Amber Jabeen, spokesperson for the Minister of Finance, Expoch and Punjab Taxation, said De facto check that no proposal to increase motorcycle or electric bicycle registration fees is being discussed.
She also shared a message from Umer Sher, the Director General of the Department of Inconsive and Taxation, who called online “speculation” complaints.
While ASIM Amin, director of the application and audit of the Lahore Department of Incise, shared the official structure of registration fees for motorcycles:
- Up to 70cc: RS1,000
- 71cc to 100cc: RS1,500
- 101cc to 125cc: RS2,000
- 126cc to 150cc: RS2 500
- Above 150 cc: 2% of the value of the motorcycle
The website is accessible here.
Thus, there was no flat rate of RS7 400.
Amin also said that electric bikes are currently receiving an exemption from 95% of tax and recording tax fees.
Moto fitness certificates – RS1,000?
A spokesperson for the Punjab vehicle inspection and certification system (VICS) said De facto check that no official notification was issued on the invoicing of 1,000 rupees for motorcycle fitness certificates.
She added that he is not yet confirmed if motorcycles even need fitness certificates, because the VICs have not received any orders to inspect them.
De facto check Also examined the provincial control of motor vehicles (modification), adopted on March 4 and found that motorcycles are not included in the list of vehicles which require fitness certification.
Irrigation water costs – RS2,200 per acre
Rao Muhammad Sohail Akhtar, the deputy secretary of the Punjab irrigation department, denied the complaint. He said that no change had been brought to the water prices since December 5, 2023.
He also shared the notification of December 2023, which shows:
- Rates vary from RS400 to Rs2,000 per acre, according to harvest
- However, for state public irrigation, the rate was RS2,250 per acre
New electrical connection – RS24,000
Muhammad Saeed Raza, Public Relations Manager for the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), said De facto check that the complaint of RS24,000 costs is inaccurate.
Current official rates were:
- Single -phase meter (3kW): RS11,000 + RS3,660
- Three -phase meter (5 kW): RS40,000 + RS6,100 GOST warranty
Verdict: The allegations concerning the increase in arms license fees, the registration of the motorcycle, the fitness certificates, the irrigation water and the electrical connections are false or misleading. Official sources confirm that these costs have not been increased as pretends online.
