Srinagar, Aug 6: Assuring government’s full support to the tourism industry, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather has said a special package of incentives has been sanctioned in the current year’s Budget for upgrading the basic tourism infrastructure in the state.
 Speaking to a joint delegation of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA) and Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Owners Federation (KHAROF) here today, Rather said tourism is a major revenue earner to the government and no stone will be left unturned in promotion of this sector on modern lines.
 Commissioner Commercial Taxes Kifayat Rizvi, President KHAROF, Faiz Bakashi, President KHARA, Showkat Chowdhary and other office bearers of both the associations were present in the meeting.
 While responding to different queries of delegates, Rather said all the stakeholders will be taken into confidence before introducing proposed Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime in the state, for which state will make its own comprehensive law.
 He said different models in vogue in other countries of the world will also be studied for the purpose.
 He said a massive awareness campaign about GST will also be launched in nook and corner of the state to address concerns of the trader’s and business communities.
 Rather, according to statement, said that state has received a good number of tourists this year and a need was felt to raise additional hotel accommodation to cope up with the tourist rush.
 The main demands put-forth by the delegations included reduction in the rate of VAT, Enactment of Goods and Services Tax (GST), modifications in rules for implementing the package of incentives for tourism industry and Entry Tax. They also sought benefits at par with small scale industries.
 He instructed the Commissioner Commercial Taxes to examine the sales tax problem of Estates Hired Hotels.
 The delegates expressed their gratitude to the Finance Minister for earmarking about Rs 30 crore as package of incentive for promotion of tourism in the current year’s Budget.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Aug 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 6 Aug 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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