Opposition flays user fees in Delhi, Mumbai airports

New Delhi, May 18:

The user charges imposed on air travellers as well as carriers by private airports in Delhi and Mumbai came under attack in the Rajya Sabha on Friday.

The Opposition members alleged “major corruption” in the way the private airports were allowed to collect airport development fees (ADF) and user development fees during discussion on a statutory motion, moved by CPI(M) MP, Mr KN Balagopal, to amend the controversial Rules.

The Airports Authority of India (Major Airports) Development Fees Rules, 2011 permit the private airports to levy Airport Development Fees from passengers.

Moving the motion, Mr Balagopal said the Rules are ultra vires of the Constitution as it does not permit the executive to levy tax on citizens. He urged the Government to amend the Airport Authority of India Act rather than bringing Rules to impose user development fee on passengers.

Corruption

Mr Balagopal alleged that the decision was a result of major corruption and conspiracy. “This is an open case of loot. We cannot allow this. Some auditing should be done. They (private airports) can take profit. It can be 15 per cent or 20 per cent or 25 per cent. But 300 per cent is not a profit. It is not a model of primitive accumulation of capital which started during the colonial period,” he added.

Senior BJP MP, Ms Najma Heptulla, said the Government owed an explanation to the House as to why it did not come before Parliament with the Rules till the matter went to the Supreme Court by private parties. She said there was a provision in the Act to make the rules and charge money. “But, they keep on charging money without any rules! The same thing was also mentioned by the Supreme Court,” she said. She said the Act does not allow the Government to charge fee at the time of embarking and also at the time of disembarking.

Veteran Congress MP, Mr Praveen Rahstrapal, said the House should appreciate that the Airport Regulatory Authority has the power to levy charges. Questioning the exemptions given to private companies he said a company joining the public-private partnership (PPP) mode should also be answerable to the public. He added that the charges should be reasonable, and it should not be taken from the passenger. He said PPP in the country has become a big “P” as in Private.

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