Saturday, December 24, 2011

No 'user fee' relief for air travellers

NEW DELHI: As Parliament on Thursday could not take up the statutory motion relating to amendment in the Airport Authority rules on technical ground, air travellers will continue to pay 'user fee' to developers.

Though the motion - moved by CPM and BJP members - was listed in the Rajya Sabha, the chair could not allow it citing certain rules. As a result, the user fee, which the Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) has been charging since December 1, will be applicable on fliers till May, 2013. It may change if the motion is again moved and discussed during the next Parliament session in February-March.

CPM member K N Balagopal, who along with BJP leader S S Ahluwalia, moved the motion, said in the Upper House on Thursday that though he gave an amendment in the rules about major airport development fee much in advance, the matter was not being taken up despite having major implications of the denial.

Had the motion been passed, it would have been moved to the Lok Sabha for concurrence - a step towards bringing relief to fliers from the user fee. But now, the motion would have to be brought in again with at lease 30 days in advance during next session.

While disallowing the motion in the Rajya Sabha, the vice-chairman said: "The rule is that this should be taken up within 30 days. As per Rule 43, every rule, every regulation made under this Act shall be laid; it is made before each Houses of Parliament for a total period of 30 days. Unfortunately, 30 days total period is over".

As a result, the user fee provision will continue. The Airports Economic Regulatory Authority had recently allowed DIAL to levy Rs 200 from domestic and Rs 1,300 from international passengers.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thank you for your comment