Mah govt may reduce fuel sales tax

Mumbai, Aug 26: The Aviation industry may get some relief from the increased fuel prices as the Maharashtra government is considering reduction in the fuel sales tax.

Chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh gave this indication during a meeting with members of the Indian Airlines Federation here today, an official release said.

Kingfisher airlines Chairman Dr Vijay Mallya pointed out that when the per barrel rate of fuel was US dollar 40, the sales tax was 32 per cent and now when the rate has reached 130 dollars per barrel, the rate is same.

''The Aviation companies are facing huge losses due to this and for increasing the inter state aviation services it is essential to reduce the sales tax, which has already been done by Andhra Pradesh and Kerala'', he said.

Dr Mallya said the state government should approach Airport Authority of India for operationalising the new airports.

He stressed the need to tackle the menace caused by birds in the vicinity of the airport due to garbage accumulation.

UNI