Nitty gritty to kick start chartered flight worked out
Transport Dept for VAT reduction on ATF
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, June 08 2014: To smoothen the passage to kick start the regular chartered flights between Imphal and Mandalay from June 27, the State Transport Department has submitted to the State Government a proposal to reduce the VAT imposed on Aviation Turbine Fuel.

This was stated by the Secretary of Transport Department M Lakshmikumar and proprietor of KB Enterprises P Brajbihari while addressing media persons at Hotel Imphal today.

Notably an agreement to start the regular chartered flight between Imphal and Mandalay was signed some time back between the proprietor of KB Enterprises and officials of Golden Myanmar Airlines at Mandalay.

At the moment the State Government imposes 20 pc as VAT on ATF, but if this is reduced, then it would serve as an incentive to travellers as it would have a direct impact on the price of flight tickets.

An air borne aircraft of Golden Myanmar Airlines

Citing an example, Lakshmikumar said that after Bhubaneswar airport was upgraded to an international airport, the Government there had reduced the VAT by 5 pc.

The chartered flight will not only boost the tourism sector but also others, said Lakshmikumar and exuded confidence that the State Government will extend all possible assistance and added that there is the need to speed up the expansion work underway at Tulihal airport.

Stating that the State Government is intent on making the regular chartered flight a runaway success, the Transport Secretary said that a meeting has been lined up by the Chief Secretary with officials from the Airports Authority of India.

Touching on other subjects, the officer said that the State Government has sent a proposal to the Centre to start helicopter service between Imphal and Tamenglong, Moreh and Jiribam.

The Centre has also taken the proposal of the State Government seriously and is deliberating upon it with intent, added Lakshmikumar.

Once the Centre gives its nod then daily helicopter service between Imphal and Moreh will see the light of day, said the Transport Secretary and added that in phase II of the same scheme, a proposal will also be sent to start chopper service between Imphal and Ukhrul and Jessami.

Joining in, proprietor of KB Enterprises, P Kunjabihari said that at first proposals were sent to Air India and Indigo to start the regular chartered flight between Imphal and Mandalay, but no response was received.

Giving other details, Kunjabihari said that the Golden Myanmar Airlines aircraft will seat 67 passengers and is an ATR-72 model.

The Consul General of India at Mandalay has given its approval to issue visas to Myanmarese willing to take the chartered flight to Tulihal from Mandalay, he informed.

On the price of the ticket, Kunjabihari said that it is relatively cheap as the price for to and fro travel from Mandalay to Imphal has been pegged at Rs 14,500 only while for the journey (to and fro) to Singapore has been pegged at Rs 35,000 .

The proprietor of KB Enterprises further said that he has already met Chief Minister O Ibobi and impressed upon him to speed up the work of installing/putting in place the required infrastructure.

The Chief Minister was positive to the proposal and gave his assurance to speed up the work, he added.

To queries from the media persons, Lakshmikumar said that the State Government has finished the spade work to put in place the proposed Imphal-Mandalay bus service and after signing the protocol have sent the same to Myanmar.

However a response from Myanmar is still being awaited.