The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said the proposed 12.5 per cent service tax on helicopter services in the State was not limited to a particular route.

The State Finance Department made it clear that the service tax proposed to be levied by the state government is applicable to all commercial helicopter services operating in the State.

Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu said a service tax is also being charged on ropeways and cable car services, which carry tourists and pilgrims to not only tourist resorts but also to some noted shrines in the Kashmir Valley.

“There is no question of charging such a tax on a particular route. A similar tax is being imposed on chopper services ferrying tourists to exotic spots like Gulmarg and Pahalgam,” he said.