DELHI TO WAIVE LUXURY TAX FOR NRI MEET

The Delhi Government will waive the 12.5 percent luxury tax on hotel tariff for delegates attending the 5th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) to be held here January 7-9 next year. The decision was taken at an inter-ministerial meeting held here Tuesday to review the preparations for the annual diaspora conclave. The Delhi government's move was seen as helping make the stay of delegates economical and even giving a boost to attendance, according to a press release.

PBD 2007 is being organised by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs (MOIA) in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and the government of the national capital territory of Delhi.In the meeting, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said all Indian associations abroad should be informed about the Delhi government's move.

There are about 1,000 associations of Indians living in different countries and their involvement will greatly facilitate the wide publicity of PBD 2007, the release quoted Ravi as saying. Held under the chairmanship of MOIA secretary Nirmal Singh, the meeting was also attended by representatives of the ministries of information and broadcasting, commerce, human resource development, home affairs, external affairs, science and technology, and civil aviation, apart from those from the Delhi government, CII and Delhi Police.

To be held under the theme 'Rooting for the roots', PBD 2007 is expected to be attended by around 2,000 delegates and will focus on education, healthcare, women, youth and investment.A new feature of the 2007 edition of the conclave will be the sessions devoted specifically to geographical regions, which have large concentrations of overseas Indians.Another major addition to the PBD this time will be a daily report-back session to capture the main outcomes and issues raised during the day.