New Delhi:
The Delhi Government on Monday granted exemption from paying luxury tax on hotel accommodation to delegates and other official participants of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. The 19th edition of the Commonwealth Games will be held in the city from October 3-14.
Dikshit said the exemption will be given for a month and it will be effective from September 16. "We have taken the decision following a request from the Indian Olympic Association," she said. The exemption will be given to delegates of Commonwealth member countries, officials of the Commonwealth Games Federation, technical experts of international sports federations and staff of the broadcasting and media rights holders of the event.
It is estimated that the amount involved in grant of exemption in luxury tax will be around Rs 30 crore.
The chief minister said the decision has been taken as per the "Host City Contract" which says that the host city will use all reasonable endeavours to minimise the imposition of taxes on accredited representatives.