Indian mission in London slapped 4.4 million pounds as congestion tax

NEW DELHI: The Indian High Commission in London has contested the "improper" levying of 4.4 million pounds on it as congestion tax by British authorities.

Minister of State for External Affairs V K Singh said this while replying to a question in Rajya Sabha.

He said the High Commission had received a notification in March 2014 from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding imposition of 3.3 million pound as congestion charges.

"Subsequently, an amount of 4,477,605 pound is now shown as outstanding against the Office of the High Commissioner for India at serial number 5 in the list published by the Transport for London on its website," he said.

The Minister said the High Commission has been contesting the "improper" levy and that no payment has been made.

The congestion charge, which applies to central London during peak hours from Monday to Friday, was introduced in 2003 to alleviate congestion in the heart of the city. The money collected through the tax is spent on transport improvement projects in London.

The fee currently stands at 11.50 pounds per day when a vehicle enters the designated congestion zone and failure to pay invites a 130 pounds fine.