KL Report
SRINAGAR
After showing initial reluctance to relief materials coming from outside for flood-ravaged state, JK government finally gave in Thursday by clarifying that all items of relief dispatched to Jammu and Kashmir from various parts of the India and outside have been exempted from entry and toll taxes.
A spokesman of the state government said that relevant SROs to this effect have been issued and the concerned quarters given categorical directions.
He said the NGOs and others who are engaged in relief operation are requested to inform their representatives accordingly and carry on the process of dispatching and distributing relief to the affected families hassle free.
“By virtue of the SROs, a highly simplified framework has been put in place under which NGOs, Institutions and individuals can themselves certify that the goods are meant for the relief and avail of the exemption of taxes, instead of approaching various competent authorities in the Government for such certificates,” the spokesman informed.
SRO 389 and 390 in this effect read that the goods being sent or received by any Non-governmental Organization(s)/ Institution(s)/Individual(s) shall also be exempted from the levy of entry tax on the submission of the certificate by such Non-governmental Organization(s)/Institution(s) to the effect that the goods are meant purely for relief and rehabilitation of the persons and the families affected by the unprecedented floods in J&K.
“However, in case of individual(s) sending the relief material,” the spokesman said, “the said certificate should expressly mention the name of the identified consignee receiving such goods.”
