Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 11: Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) J&K Chapter and Travel Agents Association of Jammu (TAAJ) asked the political parties, religious bodies and other organizations to stop playing vote bank politics over the issue of levying of 12.5 per cent service tax on the chopper service at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi, Katra as it can create turmoil in the State and can also lead to major set-back for the tourism industry of Jammu and Kashmir.
This was stated by Captain Anil Gour, Ex-Chairman, IATO, J&K Chapter during a press conference here today. He was accompanied by Rajinder Kumar and other members of TAAJ.
Gour added that the service tax on Commercial Helicopter Operations was introduced in 2011 by the then Union Government, which was led by Congress. The States of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have been levying service tax on all helicopter services to Mani Mahesh (Chamba) and Kedarnath–Badrinath sectors respectively, since then, he said.
“We appeal to all the leaders to rise above petty politics and demonstrate the required statesmanship to promote tourism, which received a major set-back after the devastating floods last year”, he stated.
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