Imposition of Carbon Tax on Indian Airlines Doesn't Arise

New Delhi: The Civil Aviation Ministry today said that the question of European Union (EU) imposing Carbon Tax on Indian aircraft did not arise as no Indian company had submitted emission details as per the EU directions.

"Though the European Union has directed Indian carriers to submit emission details of their aircraft by March 31, 2012, no Indian carrier is submitting them in view of the position of the government," Civil Aviation minister Ajit Singh told the Rajya Sabha.

"Hence the imposition of carbon tax does not arise," he said. Singh had been asked whether the EU had imposed Carbon Tax on Indian aircraft. He was also asked what policy the government would adopt in the matter to which Singh replied that the government would act as per the Moscow Declaration.

"Pursuant to the adoption of the Moscow Declaration of 22nd February, 2012 by over 30 countries on the European Union-Emission Trading Scheme (EU-ETS), a basket of measures are available to the government as counter measures," Singh said.

He said that  "depending upon EU's consideration of the resolution of Moscow Declaration, appropriate retaliatory measures would be undertaken by all signatories to the Declaration and also other nations wishing to join."