The member K N Balagopal pressed for a division after he was not satisfied with the reply of Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on the modifications sought by him in the Airports Authority of India (Major Airports) Development Fees Rules, 2011 through a statutory motion.
He was supported by members from the BJP and other Opposition parties including the SP and BSP, but the motion was defeated by voice vote.
Opposition members, however, continued pressing for a division even as the minister moved towards senior CPI-M member Sitaram Yechury for consulations on the issue.
Despite repeated interventions by the minister, Balagopal refused to budge and insisted on a division following which BSP members staged a walk out.
The situation was saved when Yechury said the issue could be sorted out if the Minister gave an assurance that he will look into the issues raised by the MP and come back to the House on the matter.
In the motion, Balgopal had demanded that Rs 1,481 crore collected by the airport management run in PPP model, should be deposited in a separate account and utilised for improving facilities of airports run by Airports Authority of India. He also sought a thorough audit of such funds by the CAG.
Under the new User Development Fee (UDF), departing international passengers will have to pay up to Rs.1,068 as UDF while for incoming passengers it will be up to Rs.881.10.
A domestic departing passenger will have to pay Rs.462.80 for travel over 500 km, and an incoming passenger Rs.391.60. For travel up to 500 km, a passenger should pay Rs.231.40 for departure and Rs. 195.80 for arrival. (MORE)
