Winter package tour to Srinagar - ST liability
WE received this mail on a cold and frosty winter morning -
"Sir, I am a tour operator in Nagpur and am registered as a Tour Operator under the Service Tax law.
I have launched winter packages to Srinagar. The tour is Ex-Srinagar. Obviously my customers are those staying in Nagpur. I went through the ST Education Guide, Guidance Note 5.2.2 which says that services that are provided in a non-taxable territory are not chargeable to service tax. However, I am told by the departmental officers that I would be liable to pay Service Tax on this tour as, both the service provider and recipient are outside J&K. Can you please have the views of your readers so that if need be I can include ST before I take the tourists on the tour?"
DDT would like readers to respond.