Entertainment tax: No more relief by State Govt

The State Government has withdrawn the special concessions granted to the owners of hotels, resorts, nursing homes and the like regarding theentertainment tax in the aftermath of 2013 natural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.