Govt should pay 'Jazia Tax' imposed by Pak on Kartarpur pilgrims: Cong leader

Congress leader Manish Tewari on Friday attacked the Modi government over Pakistan's decision to charge USD 20 from each pilgrim visiting the Sikh shrine of Kartarpur Sahib, saying the Centre should pay this "Jazia Tax" as it has failed to stop its implementation.

Pakistan is expected to earn up to USD 365,00,000 from pilgrims visiting the holy Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, officials have said.

The service fee from the pilgrims - Indian Rs 259 crore per annum and about Pakistani Rs 555 crore - will be another source of foreign currency generation for Pakistan, which is already reeling under severe financial crisis, a government official has said.

"5000 pilgrims from India will travel to Pakistan through Kartarpur Corridor daily at Rs 1,400 per pilgrim cost for 5,000 pilgrims comes to Rs 70 lakh daily-about RS 265 crore annually. Why can't NDA/BJP Government pay since they could not prevent Pakistan from imposing this Jazia?," Tewari said on Twitter. 'Jazia' was a tax imposed on non-Muslims in earlier times.

New Delhi has asked Islamabad to reconsider its demand of charging USD 20 service fee a pilgrim.

Through the service fee, Pakistan will earn USD 1,00,000 (approximately Rs 71 lakh) every day.

As the rate of Pakistani currency is Rs 155.74 for one USD, the per day earning will be Rs 1.55 crore (Pakistani rupees).

Since the pilgrimage will be allowed all 365 days a year, Pakistan will earn USD 3,65,00,000. The value of amount will be Indian Rs 259 crore and Pakistan Rs 555 crore, the official said.

Though India signed the pact with Pakistan for ensuring smooth travel of pilgrims through the Kartarpur Corridor, it has asked Islamabad to review the decision to charge the fee in future.