vicki <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Efforts on to get tax on ATF rationalised
>From Devika Sequeira DH News Service DABOLIM (Goa), July 7 Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Rajiv Pratap Rudy has said that unless internal air travel is made cheaper, domestic airlines would continue to remain in the red. The Civil Aviation Ministry is working on a proposal to reduce and rationalise taxation on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) which would bring down fares. "We want to make air travel more affordable to a larger segment of people. As it is, domestic airlines are running at huge losses because ATF costs are so high," he pointed out to journalists at Dabolim airport this morning. States are being asked to reduce taxes ATF and his ministry would attempt to bring some parity in the ATF taxation. Goa, for instance, which handles traffic of 8.5 lakh air passengers a year, is being asked to cut down taxation on ATF from 20 per cent to four per cent. Mr Rudy who emphasised that the government had no plans for the disinvestment of the Airports Authority of India, said the proposal for the construction of world class airports in Mumbai and Delhi was before the Union Cabinet, and the matter would require discussion. "Reforms in civil aviation, creation of world class airports, allowing fairplay to domestic private airlines, the safety of passengers" were the major aspects he planned to focus on within the ministry. He was shifted to the present charge just two months ago. In a shift from the norm, the minister had the Dabolim airport staff -- including those from the private airlines like Sahara -- assembled in the departure lounge for a pep talk on improving PR at the airport. "Every passenger has a right to be well treated. Every action adds to the country's economy. In an era of world class roads, world class ports and world class airports, there is no place for mediocrity. Think of yourselves as part of a family, take pride in your work. We're in this together, and everyone will be equally liable also for the mistakes," he warned the gathering. The minister plans to conduct similar interfaces at airports in other states. He said more financial powers were being given to airport managers for a quicker implementation of requirements. "This will also make them equally liable for bad decisions," he pointed out. (*) ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
