Service tax applicable to all commercial chopper services, cable car in JK: Govt

The Finance Department on Tuesday made it clear that the Service Tax proposed to be levied by the state government is applicable to all commercial helicopter services operating in Jammu and Kashmir.

State Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said service tax is also being charged on rope ways and cable car services, which carry tourists and pilgrims to not only tourist resorts but also to some revered shrines in Kashmir valley.

“There is no question of charging such a tax on a particular route. A Similar tax is being imposed on chopper services ferrying tourists to exotic spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” he said.

Drabu said levying of service tax only adds Rs 130 to the cost of the chopper ticket on any route in Jammu and Kashmir ticket.

The Minister expressed dismay over the reckless and provocative remarks of some political parties on the issue, whom he accused of trying to communalize a simple administrative order applicable throughout the State.

The Congress party had termed the state government's decision to levy tax on helicopter services as "Jaziya" (tax which was payable by non-Muslims to the rulers during the period of Muslim rule in India).

The remark was made because helicopter services are used by pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and the Amarnath Cave Shrine by Hindu devotees.

Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers Party in a statement condemned the Service Tax of Hindu pilgrims, travelling by helicopter for darshan of Mata Vaishno Devi, described it as much worst than ‘Jajia’ imposed by the Mughals on the Hindus during their rule.

(Reporting by Saleem Iqbal Qadri)