BJP demands Jammu and Kashmir government withdraw tax on helicopter service

NEW DELHI: BJP today 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 today likened the tax with 'jizya', a tax imposed on Hindus by Mughal emperor Aurangazeb.

"Is this Mr Modi's definition of jizya on pilgrims to Vaishno Devi? Is it BJP-PDP's version of jizya on pilgrims of Vaishno Devi?" party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi told reporters here while slamming the state government's decision.