200 aircraft owned by non-schedule operators under scanner

The customs authorities today said many of the 200 aircraft owned by non-schedule operators are under scanner for custom duty evasion on aircraft or aircraft parts. Though the exact size of the evasion is yet to be firmed up, initial estimates indicate that the duty evasion along with penalty and fine could be over Rs 1,000 crore.
While more than 16 aircraft have been imported without payment of customs duty, a large number of firms are guilty of importing parts for aircraft mis-utilising the duty exemption window available to non-schedule aircraft operators.
Eleven companies have been issued show cause notices for customs duty evasion and notices to more firms are underway, customs officials said today.
The Customs authorities have issued show cause notices companies including Reliance Commercial Dealers (a Reliance Industries firm), Reliance Transport and Travels (An Anil Dhirubhai Ambani firm), GMR Aviation, East India Hotels and Bharat Hotels, among others.
The investigation into duty evasion by corporate houses began in June this year after Customs authorities found that the aircraft and parts imported under non-scheduled operator permit for public transport are being diverted for personal use.
21/08/08 Business Standard

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Aug 2008