Raju meets Jaitley, discusses issues concerning aviation sector

Civil Aviation Minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on June 9 and deliberated on various issues concerning the aviation sector, amid talks of Union Cabinet expected to take up the draft aviation policy for approval soon.

"Had a very useful discussion with Sh. @arunjaitley today on strengthening the aviation sector," Raju tweeted on June 9 after his meeting with Jaitley.

The policy that seeks to bolster the domestic aviation sector by tapping its high growth potential is still to be finalised despite extensive consultations after its draft was unveiled in October 2015.

The proposed policy contains several provisions like 2 percent levy on all air tickets to fund regional connectivity and tax sops, among others, which would have financial implications when it comes for implementation.

"The civil aviation policy is at an advanced stage of discussion... I won't give timelines," Raju had on June 8 said while responding to a query on the delay in finalising the policy.

Jaitley had earlier this week said that India needed airports of global quality and 25 regional airstrips would be added this year.

"Logically there is no reason that airports and airlines in India should not do well. We have amongst largest number of people in the world, we have a large number of expatriate, we have economy which can legitimately claim being the fastest growing economy of the world," he had said at a private function on June 7.