Congress leader Manish Tewari on Friday attacked the Narendra Modi government over Pakistan’s decision to charge $20 from each pilgrim visiting the Sikh shrine of Kartarpur Sahib, saying the Centre should pay this “Jazia Tax” as it has failed to stop its implementation.
Pakistan is expected to earn up to $3,65,00,000 from pilgrims visiting the holy Darbar Sahib in Kartarpur, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, officials have said.
The service fee from the pilgrims - Indian ₹259 crore per annum and about Pakistani ₹555 crore - will be another source of foreign currency generation for Pakistan, which is already reeling under severe financial crisis, a government official has said.
“5000 pilgrims from India will travel to Pakistan through Kartarpur Corridor daily at ₹1,400 per pilgrim cost for 5,000 pilgrims comes to ₹70 lakh daily-about ₹265 crore annually. Why can’t NDA/BJP Government pay since they could not prevent Pakistan from imposing this Jazia?,” Mr. Tewari said on Twitter. ‘Jazia’ was a tax imposed on non-Muslims in earlier times.
New Delhi has asked Islamabad to reconsider its demand of charging $20 service fee a pilgrim.
Through the service fee, Pakistan would earn $1,00,000 (approximately Rs 71 lakh) every day.
As the rate of Pakistani currency is ₹155.74 for one U.S. Dollar, the per day earning would be ₹1.55 crore (Pakistani rupees).
Since the pilgrimage will be allowed all 365 days a year, Pakistan would earn $3,65,00,000. The value of amount will be Indian ₹259 crore and Pakistan ₹555 crore, the official said.
Though India signed the pact with Pakistan for ensuring smooth travel of pilgrims through the Kartarpur Corridor, it has asked Islamabad to review the decision to charge the fee in future.
