HC wants closer look at UDF

Bangalore: The High Court on Friday refused to grant a stay on the collection of User Development Fee (UDF) at the Bengalooru International Airport demanding a closer look at the records. Adivision bench, headed by Deepak Varma, directed the Centre to produce all records pertaining to the collection of a UDF of Rs 260 from domestic passengers. The court directed the petitioner to file a fresh Interlocutory Application, to challenge UDF. The petitioner, G Mohan, was arguing that as the BIAhad not utilised the entire area of the Airport, collection of UDF was not justified. He further said that the BIAhad no power to collect the UDF, and that it was not determined in a transparent manner. The Parliamentary Committee had also said that levying UDF was illegal and arbitrary, Mohan said. Once UDF is collected from the public, it cannot be refunded, he argued.
Moreover, Section 22 Aof the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Act authorised to AAI to collect UDF only after getting permission from the Centre and no Private Airport Authority could levy the UDF, the petitioner argued.
17/01/09 ExpressBuzz

To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline

Categories: Airports Jan 2009