Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 18: President, Hotel & Restaurant Association of Katra, Rakesh Wazir inaugurated Hotel Raj Residency at Katra town today.
A function in connection with the opening of the new hotel at Katra was held today wherein, Rakesh Wazir was chief guest. He thrown open the new hotel in presence of its promoters- Raj Kumari, Swarn Singh, Raghubir Singh, Ram Singh, Balwant Singh, whereas, Chairman of the Association Shyam Kesar, Vikas Gupta, Chain Singh, Nishatter Singh, Gaurav Singh, Joginder Singh were also present.
While speaking on the occasion Wazir said that if the GST is implemented in J&K in present form it will hurt the tourism industry in a big way because keeping in view the condition of J&K in mind the Government of J&K has exempted hotel industry from any type of taxes on accommodation and have levied a small tax on food items but if the GST is implemented the huge taxes ranging from 12% to 28% will get levied on hotel industry which will kill the tourism industry as it is already in the dying bed and would be extra burden on tourists/pilgrims visiting J&K.
He said that due to continuous turmoil in the State the hotel industry is already crawling and if in these conditions and circumstances if taxes too are imposed as are recommended in the GST the hotel industry will get die down and requested the State Government and Chief Minister & Finance Minister in particular that before passing of the bill the exemptions of taxes as already prevailing to hotel industry in the State be ensured.
Wazir said that same yard sticks and imposition of taxes can’t be adopted in whole India because we can’t compete Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Rajasthan, Kerala, Delhi or other States because those are completely peaceful and flow of tourists is at its peak there whereas the condition of J&K is becoming from bad to worse as for as tourism is concerned and imposition of any new tax will effect tourism industry severely.
Kesar appealed the State Govt for ensuring the exemption in tax to the hotel industry in the State before passing it in the Assembly and requested Dr Jitendra Singh too, for personally taking up this matter with Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister.
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