MANSEHRA: The Awami Action Committee, comprising hoteliers, the indigenous community, and chairmen of local governments of Kaghan Valley, on Wednesday asked the Kaghan Development Authority (KDA) to revoke its notification on a manifold increase in annual cleanliness and restaurant space charges, otherwise they would launch a street agitation.
“The tourism industry in Kaghan Valley, which operates for only four to five months during the peak summer season, has already been struggling due to natural calamities. Instead of providing relief to the business community and residents, the KDA has increased taxes, which is unacceptable to us at any cost,” Raja Khalid Nawaz, the chairman of Kaghan Village Council, told reporters after meetings with local MPA Munir Hussain Lughmani, who assured them to take that issue with the chief minister.
The chairmen of all 28 village councils in Kaghan Valley, hoteliers and residents attended the meetings held separately and demanded that the government withdraw the notification increasing taxes.
“Previously, the KDA used to charge Rs1200 per room annually as cleanliness charges, which has now been increased to Rs4500 in Shogran and Rs 2700 in Naran and the rest of the valley. Similarly, restaurant charges have been increased significantly per square foot, and notices have been served on hotel owners and restaurateurs,” Raja Khalid Nawaz said.
Mohammad Ibrar, the chairman of Kamal Ban Village Council, said that such crucial measures taken by the KDA had adversely affected residents and the business community in Kaghan Valley.
“The KDA should reduce its lavish expenditures instead of increasing taxes and depriving the business community and residents of their respectable livelihoods,” he said.Ibrar said that the National Highway Authority has also served notices on local hoteliers demanding the payment for the spaces at the road in front of their businesses.“We will meet with the federal minister of religious affairs Sardar Mohammad Yusuf, seeking his influence to take up the issue with the federal government to waive that money,” he said.
