Govt employees demand exemption of Air Travel Tax

Port Blair, Mar 19 (UNI) The Government Employees Federation (GEF) today urged for exemption of Air Travel Taxes, PSF and other charges for the residents of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

In a letter addressed to the Union Minister of Civil Aviation, GEF president P Kannan mentioned that Air Travel taxes and other charges were a heavy burden on the common people living in the far-flung islands.

''The scattered islands are situated in the Bay of Bengal and there are only two means of transportation, sea and air. In case of any emergency or medical treatment, an islander has to avail flight journey by paying huge amount,'' Mr Kannan added.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are situated nearly 1200 km away from the mainland. The islands are connected with daily flight services from Chennai and Kolkata airports. There are also passenger vessels connecting the island to Chennai, Kolkata and Vizag.

''This is a long-pending demand and should be addressed for the sake of poor islanders living thousands of kilometres away from the mainland,'' Mr Kannan told UNI.

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