Jammu and Kashmir Government Imposing 'Jizya Tax' on Vaishno Devi Pilgrims

[Hindustani78]

Updated: September 8, 2015 16:21 IST
J&K govt. to tax all helicopter services - The Hindu

The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said the proposed 12.5 per cent service tax on helicopter services in the State was not limited to a particular route.

The State Finance Department made it clear that the service tax proposed to be levied by the state government is applicable to all commercial helicopter services operating in the State.

Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said a service tax is also being charged on ropeways and cable car services, which carry tourists and pilgrims to not only tourist resorts but also to some noted shrines in the Kashmir Valley.

“There is no question of charging such a tax on a particular route. A similar tax is being imposed on chopper services ferrying tourists to exotic spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” he said.

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BY the way how many helicopters services are in Jammu and kashmir ?

The remark was made because helicopter services are used by pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and the Amarnath Cave Shrine by Hindu devotees.

Top BJP leaders, including National General Secretary Ram Madhav, have opposed the decision to levy such a tax.

 

[Hindustani78]

BJP wants J&K government to withdraw tax on chopper service - The Hindu

Updated: September 9, 2015 07:20 IST
The BJP on Tuesday demanded that the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed-led government in Jammu and Kashmir withdraw its decision to impose tax on commercial helicopter services in the state, which will mostly impact Amarnath and Vaishno Devi pilgrims availing the chopper service.

The party, which is a junior partner in the state government, said it was not informed about the decision and insisted that its nominee and Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh had lodged a strong protest with the Chief Minister.

“We have registered a strong protest with the Chief Minister and sought an immediate withdrawal of the order,” BJP secretary Shrikant Sharma said.

The government’s decision to impose 12.5 per cent service tax on chopper services is embarrassing for BJP as it draws its support from the Hindu-dominated Jammu region where it had put up its best ever show in the Assembly polls.

Seeking to corner BJP, Congress has likened the tax with ‘jizya’, a tax imposed on Hindus by Mughal emperor Aurangazeb. - PTI

 

[Hindustani78]

Pilgrims on their way to the Vaishno Devi temple in Katra, about 45 km from Jammu. | Photo Credit: PTI

New Delhi, November 13, 2017 14:23 IST
Updated: November 13, 2017 14:23 IST

http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...000-per-day/article20378977.ece?homepage=true

The green panel also said that a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24.
Only 50,000 pilgrims will be allowed to visit the Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu to avoid any untoward incident, the National Green Tribunal directed on Monday.

The green panel also said that a new path to the shrine exclusively for pedestrians and battery-operated cars will be opened from November 24.

The NGT directed that no horses or mules shall be allowed on the new route to the shrine and these anmimals shall be removed slowly from the old path as well.

It also directed the authorities to impose a fine (environment compensation) of Rs. 2,000 on anyone found littering the roads as well as the bus stop at the nearby Katra town.

The NGT bench headed by chairperson Justice Swatanter Kumar made it clear that if the number of pilgrims exceeds the prescribed 50,000 cap, they will be stopped at Ardhkuwari or Katra town, considering that the Vaishno Devi Bhawan structure cannot accomodate more than 50,000 persons.

The green panel’s directions came during the hearing of a plea filed by an activist seeking directions to stop the use of horses and ponies in Vaishno Devi shrine premises in Jammu, prompting the green panel to seek response from the government on the issue.

The petitioner had expressed concern over the “pollution and danger to public health” caused by indiscriminate use of horses, ponies, mules and donkeys, to carry pilgrims and goods from Katra to the Vaishno Devi temple.

The directions came while NGT was hearing a plea filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi seeking to remove horses and mules from the path to the shrine, saying it was dangerous for the pedestrians, especially the senior citizens.

“The new path which was constructed for Rs. 40 crore should be positevely opened to public by November 24. No further time will be granted and, in default, appropriate action will be taken against the concerned authorities,” it said.

 

[Hindustani78]

Posted at: Dec 12, 2017, 11:18 AM; last updated: Dec 12, 2017, 11:18 AM (IST)
Helicopter services remain suspended at Vaishno Devi

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/ja...-remain-suspended-at-vaishno-devi/512091.html

Tribune News Service

Jammu, December 12

Owing to bad weather and fog around Trikuta Hills, helicopter service to Vaishno Devi shrine, which was suspended on Monday, remained suspended for the second consecutive day on Tuesday.

Pilgrims, especially the elderly and handicapped, arriving at the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi shrine are facing hardship due to the suspended helicopter service.

There are hundreds of other pilgrims at Katra who are eagerly waiting for the chopper service to resume.