(a) whether the Union Government has taken any steps to get the huge tax imposed by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir on vehicles going on Amarnath and Vaishno Devi Yatra withdrawn; and
(b) If so, the detail thereof?
(a) whether the Union Government has taken any steps to get the huge tax imposed by the Government of Jammu & Kashmir on vehicles going on Amarnath and Vaishno Devi Yatra withdrawn; and
(b) If so, the detail thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE (SHRI S.S. PALANEVIANICKAM)
(a) to (b): Government of Jammu & Kashmir is levying tax of Rs.2000.00 per day on All
India Tourist Vehicles. The vehicles carrying passengers/pilgrims for Mata Vaishno Devi
are however being charged the tax of Rs.2000.00 for a period of 3 days. Similarly, vehicles
carrying passengers/pilgrims for Amarnath Yatra are being charged tax of Rs.2000.00 for a
period of seven days. It is therefore not correct to say that Government of Jammu & Kashmir
is levying any additional tax on vehicles going to Amarnath and Vaishno Devi. Taxation of
Motor vehicles falls under the purview of State Governments as per the seventh schedule of
Constitution of India and Central Government cannot direct the State Government to change
the tax rate on vehicles.