GST on Haj pilgrims opposed

Nellore: Muslim leaders staged protest at Swarnala Tank on Monday, demanding abolition of 18 per cent Goods and Service Tax (GST) on Haj tour. They also appealed to the Chief Minister to waive 9 per cent of its share in the GST. Demanding to abolish GST on Haj pilgrims, AP Muslim Reservation Sadhana Samithi (APMRSS) leaders staged a novel protest here on Monday.

They organised a Jala Deeksha at the Tank near Barashaheed Dargah in the city. APMRSS leaders raised slogans against the Central government. Speaking to the media, APMRSS founder and president Syed Sami demanded the BJP-led NDA government to abolish the GST on Haj pilgrims. He explained that the Central government had imposed 18 per cent GST on the pilgrims of Haj. Sami questioned that why the Central government is imposing the GST on pilgrims.

“Central government had imposed financial burden of Rs 44,000 on each Haj pilgrim. Due to 18 per cent GST, the cost of the tour had increased to Rs 2.15 lakh. Consequently, many Muslims were facing troubles,” said Sami. With the huge burden, common and poor pilgrims were cancelling their trips, he said.