Wednesday, August 07, 2013

West Bengal govt slashes tax on aviation turbine fuel to lure airlines

Kolkata:  Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday announced a three-year sales tax waiver on aviation turbine fuel in Bagdogra, making it the cheapest airport in the country for airlines that want to tank up.
Coming on the back of last week's positive meeting with India Inc in Mumbai and approval to a Rs 600-crore plant proposed by Anil Ambani's Reliance Cements, it showed the CM's determination to steer the state out of industrial stagnation. Bengal is among the costliest states for ATF due to high axes and airlines have repeatedly urged the government to lower it. She also announced a 50% slash in sales tax on additional ATF lifted by airlines from Kolkata airport.
The zero-tax option is expected to put Bagdogra on every airline's radar. The inconspicuous north Bengal airport has about 22 flights a day that mostly ferry Darjeeling and Sikkim-bound traders.
07/08/13 Times of India
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline