"Tourists prefer other states over Himachal": Former CM Jai Ram Thakur hits at imposition of special road tax

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 24 (ANI): Criticising the government's decision to impose a special road tax on the entry of buses and taxis registered in other states, former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said "tourists prefer other states over Himachal Pradesh" in the winter causing a major loss to the tourism industry.
In an official statement issued by Thakur it is been said that the tourism industry of the state has suffered huge losses due to the disaster and efforts to revive the tourism sector should be made, but the Sukhu government is imposing special road tax causing further loss to the tourism sector and tourist is turning to other states instead of Himachal Pradesh.
"This is by no means a good situation for the state which is facing disaster, tourists had avoided the state during the monsoon season and months-long advance bookings had been cancelled. At present the same situation is arising, businessmen associated with tourism services are staying away from Himachal Pradesh due to the policies of the Himachal Government," said Thakur.
"Businessmen have met the Chief Minister and expressed their views in this regard, but till now no meaningful step has been taken by the government in this direction," mentioned the official statement.
The state transport department has imposed a tax of Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 per day on commercial vehicles registered in other states and plying in Himachal Pradesh from September 1 onwards.
Jairam Thakur further added that the Himachal government has imposed additional tax on tourist buses and tempo traveller-type vehicles because of which every bus operator has to spend an additional Rs 20 to 25 thousand on a tour of four to five days.
In such a situation, tourism businessmen are turning to Kashmir and other states instead of Himachal and if data are to be believed 90 per cent of advance bookings for the upcoming winter season have been cancelled, read the official statement further. (ANI)