| Amarnath pilgrims being looted | | 'Toll, Sales tax at Lakhanpur' | | Early Times Report
Kathua, July 3: Despite announcement made by Dy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh that no tax would be collected from Amarnath ji pilgrims, huge amount of Toll, Sale and entry taxes allegedly being charged, that has triggered resentment among organizers of community Kitchen.
In an inaugural function of community kitchen here at Chann Arrorian, Chander Shekher Sood, the president of Baba Barfani Sewa Mandal, BBSM, Moga who today installed its 16th consecutive community kitchen here at the way to holy cave, alleged on state government to collect huge amount from pilgrims in shape of tax at door step of J&K state.
"The president said government promised to give relief from all taxes but nothing has been done at ground level that harassed pilgrims and demoralize their enthusiasm to holy cave", Sood said, adding that he has paid 11 thousand as tax for food items being provided for community Kitchen. The mandal demanded relief from all taxes to pilgrims and organisers of community kitchen.
Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Ex MoS and Subash Gupta, Ex MLC were also present on inauguration function and stringently condemned the imposition of tax to pilgrims. Dr Sharma said people enter the state with enthusiasm and devotional attitude but unnecessary tax, imposed to pilgrims and organisers of Community Kitchen epitomize their enthusiasm.
Sharma informed that district administration promised to provide 24 hours power supply during a meeting conducted by DDC Kathua but power cuts are being done regularly that affect their functioning. He sought 24 hours power supply for community Kitchens in entire district.
They demanded favorable attitude of state government towards pilgrims and its contribution to make the pilgrimage more successful. Dr Sharma said organizers can utilize that amount to provide more facilities to pilgrims and demanded complete relaxation from all taxes. |
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