BJP, PDP at loggerheads over tax on J&K chopper services

The Jammu and Kashmir government's recent decision to impose service tax on commercial helicopter services has brought the ruling PDP and BJP at loggerheads with the latter accusing its coalition partner of taking unilateral decisions.
Though BJP ministers have so far remained tight-lipped, the party has instructed them to lodge protest over the issue so as to ensure the rollback of the order.
"BJP ministers were not taken into confidence when the order to impose service tax on the helicopter services was issued by the Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu," said Sunil Sethi, chief spokesman of BJP's state unit.
The J&K government has levied 12.5 per cent service tax on Vaishno Devi pilgrims traveling from Katra to the revered cave shrine in Trikuta Hills by chopper.

The government's decision 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.
Drabu had yesterday said that some political parties were trying to communalise the service tax imposed on commercial helicopter services as the levy was also charged on cable car and ropeway services in the state.

Rejecting Drabu's justification, Sethi said instead of giving concession to pilgrims visiting the shrine, they were being burdened with additional taxes.
"The BJP rejects the finance minister's justification given that the religious pilgrimage is also part of tourism. The party has asked our ministers in the state government to impress upon our partner and force them to rollback the order," Sethi said.

He further claimed that PDP did not take BJP into confidence before taking the decision.