Cong decries J&K govt's refusal to exempt helicopter services

J&K Congress unit today condemned the PDP-BJP state government for its refusal to revoke the order imposing service tax on chopper service to the Vaishno Devi shrine and other pilgrimage sites in the state.
The party termed the decision as the "most unfortunate" and aimed at hurting the religious sentiments of crores of people in this country".
The government had yesterday said in the legislative assembly that it does not intend to withdraw the 12.5 per cent service tax imposed on the helicopter services in the state, last month.
"Congress has taken a strong exception to the indifferent attitude of the government as it is insensitive to the religious sentiments of crores of people, as over one crore pilgrims visit the Vaishno Devi shrine and other religious shrines annually in the state," chief spokesman of JKPCC Ravinder Sharma said here today.

He said that Congress legislators had walked out on the very first day of the current session when the adjournment motion brought over this issue was not taken up for discussion.
He expressed regret that the present coalition which takes half of its strength from BJP, has imposed tax on the pilgrims instead of granting subsidy to them.

"The BJP, which claims to be an equal partner, having an equal numerical strength of its legislators in the government, has utterly failed to get the order withdrawn, despite protests from nook and corner of this country over the worst kind of approach towards the pilgrims, which reminds people about 'Jizya Tax'," he said.

Jizya tax was imposed on Hindus during the reigns of Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.
The Congress leader also expressed concern over the Udhampur attack, where three persons, including a policeman, received burn injuries when a Kashmir-bound truck was attacked with a petrol bomb in the district two days ago, following which six persons were arrested.
Sharma said that this was as an act of some miscreants who attempted to commit a mischief aimed at creating an atmosphere of hatred and add fuel to the fire.