Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 7: Political parties and various other organizations condemned the decision of imposing 12.50 per cent service tax on the chopper service at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra.
In a meeting of senior Congress leaders presided over by Senior Vice President PCC Sham Lal Sharma a strong exception was taken over the most unjustified, arbitrary and provocative action of the State Government to impose 12.50 per cent service tax on the air travel facility to Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. The Congress questioned the BJP for its compulsion to stay in the coalition, if it has not been consulted on such a sensitive issue, touching the religious sentiments of crores of people of this Country. BJP leaders especially the Cabinet Ministers will face the music of the anger of the people for surrendering their rights for enjoying power, they lamented.
Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Senior Congress leader, former Minister and General Secretary PCC expressed serious concern and deep anguish over the recent action of BJP PDP government by imposing 12.5% tax on heli tickets.
According to Dr Sharma, the present BJP PDP Government seems to recall the ancient time of Mughals like Auranjeb when there was tirath yatra tax on one community and others were provided with facilities to perform their religious activities. The BJP PDP Government seems doing provocation to disrupt the communal harmony of the J&K to divert the attention of general masses from their failure on all other issues such as deliverance and governance, unprecedented price rise, control on rising militant activities and total failure in providing timely relief to the peoples affected due to the natural calamities.
The activists of JKNPP led by its State general secretary Anita Thakur, advisor Bansi Lal Sharma and Coordination general secretary Jagdev Singh held a demonstration at Dogra Chowk condemning levying service tax for the pilgrimage to Mata Vaisho Devi, Katra on helicopters. The protestors burnt the effigy of the coalition Government and demanded immediate dismissal of the Government. Meanwhile, Prof Bhim Singh has declared that the matter will be taken before the Supreme Court.
Former President, Chamber of Commerce and Industry YV Sharma condemned the imposition of 12.5 per cent service tax on the chopper facilities at Shri Mata Vashion Devi Shrine. He said that Government should review the decision and withdraw it immediately in the interest of the religious tourism industry in the State.
The workers of Dogra Front and Shiv Sena under the leadership of its president Ashok Gupta held protest against the levying of service charge. While speaking, Gupta said that the Governor, who is also Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board should intervene in the matter otherwise the people of Jammu will come on roads in protest against the Government.
Young Lawyers Association held a meeting under the chairmanship of its president Daljeet Singh Manhas. While speaking, the speakers condemned the levying of service charge on the chopper services for the pilgrims of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. They added that the decision should be taken back at the earliest.
In a joint statement issued by Chairman, Hotel and Restaurants Association Katra Shyam Lal Kesar and President Rakesh Wazir both condemned the recently imposed 12.5 service tax on the air facilities for the Vaishno Devi pilgrims. They said that the decision should be rolled back as it will affect the yatra and the business community in Katra in the time to come.
Shri Ram Sena (SRS) today condemned Government’s decision to impose 12.5 per cent service tax on the air travel facility to Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims. State President, SRS demanded immediate roll back of the decision.
JK Youth Sharnarthi Action Committee (JKYSAC) condemned this decision of the Government. In a statement, RC Sharma, president JKYSAC asked the BJP supported Government to take back this decision at the earliest.
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