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| Amarnathji Yatra to face tax too | | BJP Minister spills the beans | |
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Dec 24: The State Government has not only imposed the controversial tax on the Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage but also on the Amarnathji Yatra.
The tax on Amarnath Yatra, however, remained a secret because when the "Jaziya" was imposed in September, this annual pilgrimage held in the summers in Kashmir, was already over.
Official sources in the Finance Department said that pilgrims flying to the Amarnath cave shrine in helicopter will also have to pay the same service tax as has been made applicable for the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine. "This tax has got applied on the Amarnath Yatra helicopter service by default," the officials said.
Sources said following massive outrage over the imposition of tax on Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, the Finance department officials were "warned not to open their mouth" that the tax would applicable even on the Amarnath Yatra as well.
This startling revelation of taxation on Amarnath Yatra, however, came to fore on December 23 following the interaction of a senior BJP Minister with reporters in Jammu. Unable to give a convincing reply on why BJP failed to revoke "Jaziya" on Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrimage, he spilled the beans.
"The tax is not applicable for chopper service to Vaishno Devi alone. It is imposed for all religious shrines of the state," reportedly said in response to a question on revocation of service tax on Vaishno Devi chopper service.
Though the BJP Minister didn't divulge any further about the details of such shrines, officials confirmed that he referred to Amarnath cave shrine.
"Basically, helicopter service is offered for only two pilgrimages in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. One is Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine while the other is Amarnath Shrine," explained an official, adding "this needs no further explanation that Jaziya has been selectively imposed on a particular community."
Given the hostile terrain, which makes trek to the cave shrine in the Himalayas a difficult task, many would prefer spend some extra money for helicopter ride. But now the same will be "costlier".
The tax on Amarnath Yatra has come to spotlight when the ruling BJP is already accused of having played a dubious role in the enforcement of tax on the Vaishno Devi Pilgrimage. Though the party leadership had initially promised to get it revoked, it later "ate a humble pie only to be in power."
Though till now it has been story of shameful silence on the part of the BJP, observers said, the tax on Amarnath pilgrims will only add to the embarrassment.
On September 2, government had imposed 12.5 percent service tax on commercial helicopter services to the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, drawing widespread criticism, with most of the political parties comparing it with 'Jaziya' while the BJP was accused of having compromised on the sentiments of millions of devotees who throng the revered shrine.
"Same tax will be applicable for the Amarnath pilgrimage," said an official in the Finance department.
On October 10, the State Government announced on the floor of the House that the controversial tax will not be revoked. Since day one of the imposition of the controversial tax, this PDP minister has stood by his orders.
While the PDP-led coalition has made its stand clear, what is pinching the people of Jammu is the silence of BJP Ministers. "The BJP leadership seems to be maintaining double standards towards the people of Jammu, who voted this party to power," said Praveen Kumar, a Jammuite, adding "this is really unfortunate". |
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