Asif Iqbal Naik
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Oct 9: Despite massive outrage among the general public of Jammu including the pilgrims traveling to Mata Vaishno Devi over imposition of 12.5 % service tax on Chopper Service to shrine, the PDP-BJP government in Jammu and Kashmir today categorically refused to revoke the order of imposition of service tax.
In written reply to AQ. No. 527 of MLA Devender Singh Rana it was stated the 12.5% service tax stands imposed in the chopper service from Katra to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji shrine; if so, whether it intends to exempt the same in view of the public demand, if not the reason thereof, the Additional Secretary to Government Finance Department on behalf of Minister incharge Finance agreed that the tax on Chopper service for Mata Vaishno Devi Ji Shrine was imposed vide SRO notification No. 297 Dated 2nd September, 2015 issued by the finance department, Sale Tax on services has been levied on "Commercial Helicopter Services operating within the state", added that at the moment there is no proposal with the government for exemption of the same. |
