BJP surrendering sensitive issues of Jammu region: JKNPP

While criticising state Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu for his refusal to roll-back tax on chopper services to cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi, Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today accused BJP of surrendering the "sensitive issues" of the people of Jammu region.
"BJP has failed to confront its partner over the sensitive issue which had a tremendous emotional appeal," chairman of the JKNPP Harsh Dev Singh said here.
He said that BJP had utterly disappointed the people by quietly acquiescing before its coalition partner on the subject despite its tall claims and huge chest thumping in the past assuring roll back of the said service tax.

Singh alleged that order issued on September 2 by the Finance Department imposing service tax on helicopter services availed by the pilgrims was highly obnoxious and sinister and had deeply hurt the religious faith of Hindus all over the globe.
He regretted that the state government "poked its nose" into the "highly sensitive religious issue" and imposed tax on the religious pilgrimage akin to the 'Jazia' imposed by Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
Singh said that most disgusting aspect of the matter was the imposition of service tax on Helicopter services without the approval of cabinet.

"The Rule 8 of Government Business Rules read with its second schedule categorically provided that any proposal for imposition of a new tax or raising the pitch of an existing tax shall be brought before the cabinet for approval", Singh said.

While objecting to the statement made by the Finance Minister, Singh said that it's not only the rich and affluent pilgrims who travel by Helicopter but also several old aged, ailing, physically challenged, children, physically weak, females also visit Mata Vaishno Devi by chopper.
"More than that the enhanced taxation, the FM must understand, hurts the religious sentiments of the people," Singh said.
Singh said that the highly outrageous order would herefore further have a cascading effect on the Helicopter charges for Amarnath Yatra, Machail Yatra and further dampen the chances of proposed Helicopter services for Kailash Yatra, Padder and Pingla Mata pilgrimage without affecting the prevalent rates of cable car services and ropeway services in any way.