J&K Govt imposes 12.5% Tax on Chopper Services to Vaishno Devi Shrine

The Mufti Government in Jammu & Kashmir, has imposed a 12.5 per cent service tax on chopper services to the Vaishno Devi shrine, making the air travel dearer. The pilgrims travelling by the helicopter to and fro from Katra to Sanjhi Chhat, will have to pay the tax.

As the notification was issued on September 2, 2015, two carriers – Global Vectra and Himalayan Heli have increased the prices. The BJP has claimed that it was not taken into confidence and opposed the decision. The party has sought revocation of taxes with immediate effect.

The Congress Party has sought to fish in the troubled waters and slammed the PDP and BJP for this, calling it a ‘Jizya Tax’ on Hindus.