AAI service tax mop-up at Rs 107cr

Cheaper air travel has proved to be a boon for service tax mop-up, as the Airport Authority of India collected Rs 107 crore during the first five months of the current fiscal year, compared with Rs 66 crore during the whole of 2004-05.

As per data of Commissionerate of Service tax, the AAI's service tax kitty is the second highest during April-August. Overall, service tax proceeds during the period touched Rs 1,094 crore.

The service tax from the AAI is in addition to Rs 402 crore mopped up from cargo services up to August this year. Cargo services had last year contributed Rs 816 crore as service tax. Several airport services are taxed, including landing and parking, route and terminal navigation, lounge services and admission fees.

The AAI also collects service fee of around $5 per passenger. The government had in September last year included services provided at airports under service tax ambit.

The Oriental Insurance Company was the highest service tax payer during April-August which paid Rs 123 crore against Rs 85.5 crore in the corresponding period last year, an increase of 44 per cent.

Other top service tax payers include MTNL which paid Rs 60 crore, Bharti Cellular with Rs 32.75 crore, Prasar Bharti with Rs 29.38 crore, Hutchison Rs 27.64 crore, Maruti Udyog Rs 11.62 crore and Idea Cellular Rs 8.16 crore.

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BOOM TIME

Service tax from the AAI is in addition to Rs 402 crore from cargo services up to August this year

Other top service tax payers: MTNL with Rs 60 cr, Bharti Cellular Rs 32.75 cr, Prasar Bharti Rs 29.38 cr, Hutchison Rs 27.64 cr, Maruti Udyog Rs 11.62 cr and Idea Cellular Rs 8.16 cr