Aviation Min Scindia pleased as Himachal Pradesh CM Thakur reduces VAT on Jet fuel to 2%

Union Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia thanked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday for the reduction in Value-added Tax on Air Turbine Fuel to two per cent. While going on to term this step to be a significant one, Union Minister Scindia stated that this would boost the air connectivity in Himachal Pradesh. CM Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday also unveiled the Mandi greenfield airport which is in close proximity to the China border, and is CM Thakur's dream project.

On November 3, the Centre had decided to reduce the excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs. 5 and Rs. 10 respectively. As per data provided by the Ministry of petroleum and natural gas, 22 states/Union Territories in a bid to provide relief to the consumers had undertaken a commensurate reduction of VAT on fuel. 

Scindia thanks CM Jai Ram Thakur; urges other states to follow suit

Union Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia while thanking Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday stated that the step taken was a progressive one. In a tweet that Scindia put out while expressing his gratitude, he urged other states to embark in similar directions. Scindia mentioned that by doing so, the governments would help bolster the economic prosperity of India and also bring connectivity to places that lack the same. 

Mandi Greenfield Airport - CM Thakur's dream

In an effort to boost the tourism sector of Himachal Pradesh, CM Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday took up the flagship project of the Mandi Greenfield Airport. The CM stated that the airport is also the first mega infrastructure project that aimed to boost HP tourism while also meeting the strategic needs of the nation. Thakur iterated that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) had provided a revised master plan for the dream project. 

As per the previous chalked out plan compiled post clearance from the Aviation Ministry, a runway of 2,100 metres was decided with a possible extension towards the southern side. However, the revised layout has decided to include an extended runway that stretched up to 1,050 metres towards the north end of the airport and not on the south.

Concerning the operation of the Airbus-320 type of wide-body aircraft, a significant shift on either side of the runway has been planned. The CM added that the HP government would form a joint venture company with the AAI for the development of the project.

Image: ANI