Lalit Mohan
Tribune News Service
Dharamsala, November 13
Hoteliers in the picturesque town have received notices from the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation (MC) for the recovery of property tax for two years — 2019-20 and 2020-21. The overdue tax ranges between Rs 60,000 and Rs 4 lakh depending on the area of the hotel. The development has led to resentment among the hoteliers, who claim they were given assurances by CM Jai Ram Thakur and the Tourism Secretary that the tax would be exempted for the lockdown period.
Had sought exemption: Mayor
Hoteliers have suffered huge losses. The government must consider our proposal to grant them exemption in local taxes. — Onkar Nehria, Dharamsala Mayor
Ashwani Bamba, president, Hotel and Restaurant Association, Dharamsala, said hotels remained shut for at least one year due to Covid-related restrictions. “We had met the CM and Tourism Secretary on a number of occasions and had apprised them of our problems,” he said. “We were assured that concessions would be given in terms of exemption in property tax, licence fees etc. But the government is in no mood to extend any relief,” he said.
Sanjeev Gandhi, general secretary, Smart City Dharamsala Hotel and Restaurant Association, said, “The MC Commissioner told us that they had sought exemption of property tax to hotels for six months, but got no response. We will launch a protest.” Dharamsala Mayor Onkar Nehria said it was unfortunate that the state had not considered their request. “I have deposited Rs 60,000 as property tax. Hoteliers have suffered losses and the government must consider the MC’s proposal,” he said.
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