Play all audios:
The plan to impose two per cent levy on most domestic and international air tickets from January 1 has been deferred by the government, for now. Had the draft been approved, travel would
have been a little more expensive. The reason cited by the Civil Aviation Ministry was that the Draft Aviation Policy is expected to come before the cabinet for approval only in the middle
of next month. The draft policy unveiled by the ministry on October 30 planned to impose the two per cent levy to raise funds to improve regional air travel infrastructure. The proposal was
to come into effect from January 1, 2016. The Civil Aviation Ministry is preparing the draft note for the cabinet, which is likely to be ready by December 25, following which it will be sent
for inter-ministerial comments, ministry sources said on Thursday. “As per procedure, various ministries concerned including Finance, Home, Defence, Law and MEA among others will be given
15 days time for their comments. In all likelihood, the draft note will be sent to the cabinet for its approval around January 15 next year,” sources in the ministry said.