CIVIL AVIATION MINISTER URGES MAHARASHTRA TO REDUCE SALES TAX ON ATF

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The Civil Aviation Minister Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain has urged Maharashtra Government to reduce the Sales Tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). He said, this will not only help the airlines industry which is suffering now, but also boost tourism in the state. This was stated by Shri Syed Shahnawaz Hussain when the Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde called on him here today. The Minister also impressed upon Shri Shinde the urgency of removing the remaining slum clusters near the Mumbai airport, which could be a possible security problem.

The Chief Minister requested Shri Shahnawaz Hussain that proposal for new airport at Navi Mumbai as well as a cargo complex at Nagpur should be cleared at the earliest. The Minister assured Shri Shinde that the airport proposal will be taken up early. He said under the airport modernisation programme, Rs.1500 crore will be invested in the existing airport at Mumbai to make it world class. Civil Aviation Secretary Shri K. Roy Paul and other senior officials were present.