The State Government has withdrawn the special concessions granted to the owners of hotels, resorts, nursing homes and the like regarding theentertainment tax in the aftermath of 2013 natural disaster.The exemption was accorded to the cable TV/DTH equipped- commercial establishments like hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, nursing homes and the like by the State Government to help them tide over the loss wrought by the
deluge. It was a reprieve meant to boost the flagging spirit of the tourism industry that was severely affected by the 2013 disaster. The entertainment tax will be applicable to the commercial establishments from July 1, 2015, with the period of special concession ending on June 30, 2015.Now, as per the Government’s order, the commercial establishments that provide cable TV services will have to Rs40 per TV set as entertainment tax every month from July 1, 2015.
Similarly, the owners of hotels, restaurants, guesthouses and the like which provide DTH service will have to pay Rs50 per TV set every month from July 1, 2015.The district magistrate, Nainital, Deepak Rawat stated this on Wednesday, adding that action would be taken if any of the establishments fails to pay the tax as per law. However, the withdrawal of the reprieve might not go down well with those engaged in tourism sector as they say they are yet to come out of the colossal loss wrought by the grim calamity that befell the state a little over two years ago.