TravTalk India Online Magazine
Maharashtra Tourism has invited suggestions and objections from people and experts on its Forts Scheme till July 8, the document for which is available on its website. The state has also received a nod from the Urban Development Department to charge water tax and property tax from non-classified hotels registered with DoT as per industrial rates.
Maharashtra Tourism will provide basic tourist amenities at 337 non-classified forts, under the ‘Maharashtra Forts Scheme’. These basic tourist amenities include approach road, drinking water, restaurant, toilet, electricity, solid waste management, signages, tourist information centre, guides, caravan camping, parking and beautification of the vicinity. The document is up on the Maharashtra Tourism website and will be open for suggestions and objections till 8 July, 2021. Suggestions and objections can be shared on diot@maharashtratourism.gov.in.
Maharashtra is home to over 400 forts, out of which approximately 350 forts are on records. Through this scheme, all the facilities to be provided in and around the forts, experiential tourism, implementing agencies of the scheme, promotion of fort tourism, functions of the agency selected for the promotion, availability of funds, committees for selection of the forts to implement the scheme, terms of reference of the committees, etc., have been made available on the website.
‘Industry’ status gets nod
On 21st June, the Urban Development Department issued GR to all the Commissioners, Municipal Corporations and Director, Directorate of Municipal Administrations, to charge water tax and property tax from non-classified hotels registered with the Directorate of Tourism, as per the industrial rates.
Government of Maharashtra had awarded Industry status to the hospitality sector in April 1999, but that remained only on paper and wasn’t implemented. Last year, the state government issued the GR, announcing the criteria for levying taxes and charges at the industrial rate for non-classified hotels. The concerned departments have to issue circular/resolutions/letters to the concerned authorities.
Similarly, on 14th June, the Joint Secretary, Revenue and Forest department, issued a letter to all the Divisional Commissioners and Collectors to apply non-agricultural tax as per the industrial rate to all the hotels/ green hotels that fulfil the mandatory ‘minimum basic standards’ and are registered with the Directorate of Tourism.
Dr Dhananjay Sawalkar, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Maharashtra government, said, “Giving Industry status to hospitality sector will make electricity rates, electricity charges, water bill, property tax, development tax, additional floor space index and non-agricultural tax available to the registered hotels as per industrial rates.” Around 300 non-classified hotels, from all over Maharashtra, have applied to avail the tax benefits with the Directorate of Tourism (DoT). After inspection, if these hotels fulfil all the said criteria, they will be eligible for the same.
