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<ul><li>About 60% of citizens want the GST rate on cryptocurrencies to be 28% or higher.</li><li>Eight in ten Indians are in favour of imposing 28% or higher GST on online games, casinos and horse racing.</li><li>8 in 10 Indians want 28% of higher GST on casinos, online games and horse races</li></ul>Six in ten Indians are in favour of keeping cryptocurrencies under the 28% or higher goods and services tax (GST) bracket, according to a report by community social media platform LocalCircles. Meanwhile, eight in ten Indians are also in favour of imposing a similar GST slab on online games, casinos and horse racing. The survey — which was based on 34,000 responses from citizens residing in 319 districts — revealed that 34% citizens were for the aforementioned GST slab on cryptocurrencies. Meanwhile, 7% of the responders voted for “40%” tax slab, 19% voted for over “50%” tax slab. About 22% did not have an opinion on it. On an aggregate basis, 60% of citizens want the GST rate on cryptocurrencies to be 28% or higher. This question received 12,330 responses. According to a <a href="https://www.news18.com/news/business/tax/gst-council-to-consider-levying-28-tax-on-bitcoin-other-cryptocurrencies-know-more-5137639.html">report </a>by CNBC TV 18, the GST Council will take up a proposal to impose<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/crypto-tax-in-india-government-may-levy-28-percent-gst/articleshow/91439216.cms"> 28% GST</a> on all services related to cryptocurrency. The government’s view is to keep cryptocurrency at par with lotteries, casinos, racecourses and betting, the report had noted. The development comes only a few months after the finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman imposed a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/investment/news/crypto-tax-in-india-kicks-in-from-april-heres-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/90344479.cms">30% tax on the gains on cryptocurrencies</a>, along with 1% tax deducted at source (TDS). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Taxation on online games, casino and horse racing" comment="subhead" text="Taxation on online games, casino and horse racing">Taxation on online games, casino and horse racing</cmsannotation> On the taxation on online games, casinos and horse racing, 45% citizens were in favour of 28% GST on this leisure activity. Meanwhile, 7% of the responders voted for a 40% tax slab, 27% voted for over 50%. Only one percent of the respondents believed that online gaming, casino and horse racing should be exempted from GST, while six percent did not have an opinion on it. This question in the survey received 12,097 responses. Overall, 79% of the respondents wanted 28% or higher GST on these activities. In May, a Group of Ministers (GoM) <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/policy/group-of-ministers-agree-to-levy-28-gst-on-casino-race-course-and-online-gaming/articleshow/91638515.cms?from=mdr">agreed</a> to recommend hiking the GST on casinos, race courses and online gaming services to 28%. Currently, the GST rate applicable on online games involving betting or gambling is 28% and for the ones without betting or gambling, it is 18%. On horse racing, GST is levied at 28% on the total bet value. SEE ALSO <a class="tout-title-link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/tough-times-will-make-startups-go-for-hero-teams-slash-ad-budgets-and-focus-on-profits/articleshow/92270583.cms" style="">Tough times will make startups go for ‘hero teams’, slash ad budgets and focus on profits</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/spicejet-hiked-its-ticket-prices-indigo-and-others-might-follow-suit/articleshow/92251751.cms" style="">SpiceJet hiked its ticket prices; Indigo and others might follow suit</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ready-to-take-off-rakesh-jhunjhunwalas-akasa-air-receives-its-first-boeing-aircraft/articleshow/92247189.cms" style="">Ready to take off – Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's Akasa Air receives its first Boeing aircraft</a>

8 in 10 Indians want 28% or higher GST on casinos, online games and horse races

<ul><li>In an interview with <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/well-bring-all-stakeholders-on-board-on-privatisation/articleshow/80871254.cms">The Economic Times</a>, the finance minister said that the GST council would examine the recommendations of reducing four tax slabs to three.</li><li>This has been a long-standing demand from the industry, which the 15th Finance Commission report included in its recommendations.</li><li>The proposal is to reduce GST slabs from the current four i.e. 5%, 12%, 18%, and 28%, to three slabs with the rates of 8%, 18%, and 28%.</li><li>Read on to know which products are likely to be affected after GST slab merger.</li></ul>The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council may choose to consider the proposal to reduce the number of tax slabs to three. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Current GST slabs </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"> Proposed GST slabs </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Merge to 8% tax slab </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">12% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Merge to 8% tax slab </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">18% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">18% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">28% </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">28% </td></tr></tbody></table> This is a long-standing demand from the industry, which the 15th Finance Commission ⁠— a body that defines financial aspects of the relationship between the Central government and the states ⁠— has agreed with. "We will definitely be talking about it. Whenever the council finds it fit. Sooner, I suppose. Whether it will be in the next meeting itself, I can't speak for the council as yet. We'll have to see," Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said in an interview with <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/finance/well-bring-all-stakeholders-on-board-on-privatisation/articleshow/80871254.cms">The Economic Times</a>. The impact on the consumer will depend on the Council’s decision but reducing the tax rate will make the GST regime simpler for the states and, the government would hope, improve compliance. These are some of the products that are likely to be affected after GST slab merger: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Goods under 12% GST </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Goods under 18% GST </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Mobile phones </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Household products, including hair oil, toothpaste, shampoo </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Frozen meat </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pasta </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Butter </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pastries </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Ghee </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">furniture </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Beverages </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">TVs </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sauces, ketchup, and mustard sauce, </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Aluminium foil </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Branded Cereals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Optical fibre </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Air travel tickets </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Power Banks </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Railway coaches, </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9907650000000001pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Shopping bags and handbags </td></tr></tbody></table> SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/experts-say-india-and-china-both-need-to-show-their-voters-that-they-won-in-ladakh-for-the-disengagement-to-be-successful/articleshow/80876036.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Experts say India and China both need to show their voters that they won in Ladakh⁠ for the disengagement to be successful</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/spicejet-and-indigo-stocks-take-off-as-a-2-hour-flight-could-now-cost-up-to-13000/articleshow/80873865.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">SpiceJet and IndiGo stocks take off as a 2-hour flight could now cost up to ₹13,000</a>

GST Council may consider merging the 12% and 18% tax slab in the next meeting, says Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

New Delhi, Jul 8 () SpiceJet passengers can now avail an insurance cover for COVID-19 hospitalisation by paying a minimum premium of Rs 443, the airline said on Wednesday. "Passengers can opt for the insurance cover ranging between ₹ 50,000 to ₹ 3,00,000 at a premium for as low as ₹ 443 to ₹ 1,564 a year (including GST)," the airline said in a press release. "The insurance covers hospital expenses and all pre and post hospitalisation expenses for 30 and 60 days respectively. The comprehensive cover includes tests, medication and consultations upon testing positive for COVID-19," it added. The low cost carrier said it has joined hands with Go Digit General Insurance Limited through its Digit Illness Group Insurance Policy to offer this insurance cover. "This insurance has no restrictions on room or ICU rent. This implies there is no limit on ICU charges or room rent until the insured sum lasts," it said. DSP RDM RDM

Spicejet offers COVID-19 hospitalisation insurance to passengers

<ul><li>Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> announced measures that will benefit both airline operators like IndiGo and SpiceJet, as well as developers like GMR, GVK, and Adani Group.</li><li>India opened up more of its airspace for airlines to ply, decided to put up more airport development projects for bidding. </li><li>Another major investment was Sitharaman’s bid to make India an MRO hub – Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul.</li></ul>India opened up more of its airspace for airlines to ply, decided to put up more airport development projects for bidding, and ease taxation as well as restrictions on maintenance and repair to bring down costs for aviation firms. These reforms announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will benefit both airline operators like IndiGo and SpiceJet, as well as developers like GMR, GVK, and Adani Group. <div type="image" title="indigo." msid="75775924" hostid="261"></div> <div type="image" title="spicejet." msid="75775928" hostid="261"></div> The government estimates airlines will save about ₹1,000 crore a year by flying shorter routes. “60% of the Indian airspace is freely available, because it is fairly restricted for civil and defence purposes, so we have been taking longer routes. This has to be rationalised for optimum utilization of time and fuel. Customers can get to their destinations quicker and cheaper,” Sitharaman said. More airport projects up for grabs The second step taken was that six more airports will be put up for auction by the Airports Authority of India and will be built on public private spaces. “Additional investments will be made by private players in 12 airports where investments are already present. The financial implications will be on the AAI. The first and second round of investments to get ₹13,000 crore,” said Sitharaman. India currently has several airport projects under construction – the Jewar international airport in Greater Noida, the Mopa Airport in Goa, Navi Mumbai international airport in Maharashtra, Sabarimala airport in Kerala among others. In April 2020, GMR got the go-ahead for the Bhogapuram airport in Andhra Pradesh. In February 2019, the Adani Group won a tender to operate all six government-owned Indian airports located in Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Mangaluru, Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Lucknow, and Guwahati. Making India an airline maintenance hub Another major investment was Sitharaman’s bid to make India an MRO hub – Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul. “Most Indian aircrafts go abroad for their repair works and spend there. But India has all the capacity – manpower and soft skills to set up an MRO hub here. India can be the centre for many of the flights for South East Asia as well as westwards,” she said. This will be a major step that we want to make sure India benefits from, she added. Not just the civil sector but defence aircrafts will also benefit from it. Through this, maintenance will also be cheaper for the aviation sector. The issue the MRO industry used to face because of the aircraft used to fly to other countries for repair. "In India we have a promising civil aviation sector, so we want the MRO sector to be located in India and much of the repair work should be done here. The problem they used to face was competitiveness was in GST. GST rate used to be 18%, so the meeting held in March the rate has been brought down to 5% with full input tax credit and that is something that will make the MRO industry very competitive," said the government. The coronavirus pandemic has left the Indian airlines sector stranded on the runway. All domestic and international flights have been suspended ever since the lockdown. “It will take 2-3 years for air travel to return to 2019 levels and a few more years to return to long-term growth trends according to Boeing,” said a Centrum Broking report last week. The <keyword id="34987" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="aviation-industry">aviation industry</keyword> is staring at losses to the tune of ₹25,000 crore, according to a CRISIL report. “These are preliminary estimates, and aggregate losses could increase if the lockdown is extended beyond the first quarter. As and when operations resume, overall operational capacity will hover at 50-60% for the rest of the fiscal. Consequently, mergers and acquisitions of airlines, and relook at expansion plans of private and upcoming greenfield airports would be possibilities," <a href="https://www.livemint.com/news/india/covid-19-impact-indian-aviation-may-incur-rs-25-000-crore-losses-says-crisil-11588838896045.html">said Jagannarayan Padmanabhan</a>, director and practice leader, transport &amp; logistics, Crisil Infrastructure Advisory. <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/will-the-aviation-industry-recover-from-the-pandemic/article31359708.ece">Globally</a>, the industry’s revenues could be cut by $252 billion in 2020.

Indigo and Spicejet get shorter routes, cheaper fuel bills while Adani, GMR, and GVK get more airport projects to bid for

As India has emerged as the one of the fastest growing civil aviation markets of the world, it is time that the government take steps to make the aviation sector globally competitive beginning with reduction on its tax structure, the head of a low-cost airline has said. Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, <keyword id="6358032" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpiceJet">SpiceJet</keyword>, in an interview to rued that the civil aviation sector in India is highly taxed and identified it as one of the major stumbling blocks in making it globally competitive. "I think lowering of taxes and looking at aviation in a holistic sense as a job creator, as something that connects India to itself and to the world. It's important that we take a more holistic approach to aviation," he said Singh was in Washington DC last week as part of a business delegation that accompanied Union Finance Minister <keyword id="129243" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirmala-Sitharaman">Nirmala Sitharaman</keyword> who was here to attend the annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. "What we have been asking for a very long time now is that the government should make Indian aviation competitive with its peers around the world. We should make sure that our costs are in line with our peers around the world," he said. India, Singh said, is the only country which taxes aviation fuel at an average of about 35 per cent while no other significant aviation country in the world taxes fuel at all. As such Indian carriers are paying a much higher cost of operation and, therefore, they are not competitive with others. That is one big issue, he said. "The second big issue is on the maintenance and repair operations. In maintenance and repair operations as well, we pay a GST of 18 per cent," he added. MROs (Maintenance, Repair, Overhaul) is one space where India can be doing exceedingly well, Singh said. "We can be repairing our own aircraft. We have the engineering skills. We have the people in India to do this. We have the infrastructure to do it. We have the skills. And despite that a lot of repair and overall active activity actually happens overseas because of the high tax in India," he said. "As such, it is important to understand that if one imposes such high taxes, then nobody gets any work done and therefore there is no revenue. And when there is no revenue, there's no tax either, he observed. "So you have to moderate taxes. India can be a huge global base for repair and overall not only for the airlines within India, but for for airlines outside India. So that's a space that we certainly need to look at," Singh said. He asserted that it is also important that India should build its own international hubs like Dubai, <keyword id="63248" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Abu-Dhabi">Abu Dhabi</keyword>, Doha, Singapore and Bangkok and stop exporting traffic into these hubs and allowing them to distribute traffic around the word. "It's important for a large country like India to have people go directly from Delhi, Bombay, Bangalore and <keyword id="6354552" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="hyderabad">Hyderabad</keyword> to Europe and the US and the far east. So, we need to ensure that a policy action is taken on that front," Singh said. He said India has to start looking at the aviation sector in a holistic sense and try and make sure that the system does not make it burdensome to operate the businesses. "We have to ensure that aviation, the airlines themselves succeed," he said. Of the BRICS countries, Singh said India remains the only one where there is no major assembly facility of either Boeing or Airbus. That's a space that the government definitely needs to work on, he said. Observing that India is a very large market, he said there is need to encourage people to come and start build something within India. "I think the on engine repair for example, again, we need to ensure that a larger engine makers like CFM or Pratt and or Rolls Royce, start by setting up at least the maintenance and repair facilities within India," Singh said. In the aviation sector, a lot is possible and a lot can be done especially if it is small planes, helicopters, aircraft components, etc, he said. "But I think we have to work as one team India. The corporate sector as well as the government have to work aggressively with foreign companies that own the technology to encourage them to build in India," Singh said. LKJ AQS AQS

SpiceJet MD says that lower taxes can help connect India to the world

<ul><li>The country’s airlines are set to lose nearly $2 billion in 2018-19, according to CAPA, a consultancy, owing to rising costs and low fares. </li><li>The Ministry of Civil <keyword id="31907" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Aviation">Aviation</keyword> is working on a relief package to ease the cost pressures on the country’s struggling carriers. This could involve a reduction in <keyword id="4869" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Fuel">fuel</keyword> taxes by bringing aviation turbine fuel under the GST regime. </li><li>The government also wants to build 100 new airports within the next 15 years. </li></ul>A relief package has been a long time coming for the world’s third largest aviation market. While India’s airlines have expanded their business rapidly over the past decade, as indicated by surging passenger traffic, much of this has come with high capital costs and minimal profits. And now? Airlines are recovering from one of the worst years so far in recent memory. The rupee’s depreciation is expected to raise costs for airlines, most of which are denominated in dollars like leasing expenses and ground handling charges overseas, by a third. Fuel costs, which comprise 40% of overall costs, have risen dramatically amid a rebound in oil markets and heavy domestic duties. Fares have stayed low in the face of a intense competition in order to keep passenger volumes robust. The losses are mounting. For the first quarter of the current financial year, <keyword id="6358200" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="jet-airways">Jet Airways</keyword> and <keyword id="6358032" type="DOMAIN" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpiceJet">Spicejet</keyword> and reported net losses of ₹13.2 billion and ₹380 million, respectively, while <keyword id="6354706" type="DEFINITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="IndiGo">Indigo</keyword>, which has usually been the country’s most profitable airline, saw a 97% drop in its net profit to ₹280 million. The country’s airlines are set to lose <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/indian-airline-losses-could-reach-1-9-billion-this-year-capa-india/articleshow/65666776.cms">nearly $2 billion </a>in 2018-19, according to CAPA, a consultancy, and will need a $3 billion capital injection to clean up their balance sheets. A lifeline from the government The government has taken notice of the problems faced by the sector. According to the civil aviation secretary, RN Choubey, the Ministry of Aviation is working on a rescue programme for the country’s struggling carriers. While the details of the package have not been announced, the aviation ministry has been working with the finance ministry to ease some of the cost pressures on airlines. The package will likely focus on two things- high fuel prices and the problem of the rising rupee, especially in relation to leasing costs. For the former, the aviation ministry plans to bring aviation turbine fuel (ATF) under the GST regime as opposed to the current system, whereby states impose different taxes on top of a national excise duty of 14%. No discussion of the industry’s problems is complete without mentioning the travails of Air India. The loss-making, indebted state carrier is also slated to receive a minor reprieve from the government in order to stay afloat in the short-term. The Indian government has extended a credit facility <a href="https://www.businesstoday.in/sectors/aviation/govt-to-infuse-rs-2100-crore-into-air-india/story/281976.html">of ₹21 billion</a> to Air India for working capital purposes, following an equity infusion of ₹8.6 billion. The government is also planning to invest heavily in airports infrastructure. Earlier this week, the Minister of Aviation, <keyword id="6356597" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="suresh-prabhu">Suresh Prabhu</keyword>, announced that the government would finance the construction of 100 airports in the country over the next decade and a half, to add to India’s 130 existing airports. The programme is expected to cost around $60 billion.

The Indian government is planning a rescue package for the aviation sector as the losses pile up

<ul><li>Axis Bank has launched an ultra-premium credit card for UHNIs.</li><li>The <keyword id="23066078" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Axis-Bank-Primus-credit-card" source="keywords">Axis Bank Primus credit card</keyword> is among the most expensive credit cards in India.</li><li>Here’s everything you need to know about the ultra-premium credit card from Axis Bank.</li></ul>Credit cards have become a major part of India’s financial landscape in recent years. What was once seen as a luxury for the wealthy has now become more common with banks offering various benefits including <keyword id="19957380" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="lounge-access" source="keywords">lounge access</keyword> at airports, free tickets and more. Cards range from free cards for normal users to cards with thousands or lakhs in fees, aimed at high net worth (HNI) individuals. Axis Bank recently introduced Primus, the company’s ultra-premium credit card that is aimed at ultra-high net-worth individuals. <h2><keyword id="23066081" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="Axis-Bank-Primus" source="Orion">Axis Bank Primus</keyword> credit card <keyword id="23066080" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="annual-fee" source="keywords">annual fee</keyword></h2>The Axis Bank Primus credit card has a joining fee of ₹5 lakh, which increases up to ₹5.9 lakh when we include GST. In addition to this, the card has an annual fee of ₹3 lakh, which goes up to ₹3.54 lakh after including GST. This makes it the <keyword id="23066079" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="most-expensive-credit-card" source="keywords">most expensive credit card</keyword> in India, beating the Amex Centurion, which has a joining fee of ₹8.26 lakh and an annual fee of ₹2.95 lakh. <h2>Axis Bank Primus credit card benefits</h2><h3>Joining benefit</h3>As part of a joining bonus, users get the option to choose from either an ₹40,000 voucher from ITC or 25,000 Axis Edge Miles. <h3>Renewal benefit</h3>Users who pay the renewal fee get either an ₹20,000 voucher from ITC or 15,000 Axis Edge Miles. <h3>Lounge benefits</h3> Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for the primary card and add-on card holders. <h3>Travel benefits</h3> <ul><li>The card offers the following travel benefits: </li><li>Zero forex markup </li><li>Unlimited complimentary domestic airport meet and greets </li><li>Complimentary companion airfare </li><li>Up to 15% savings on international First and Business class fares </li><li>Complimentary upgrades at selected hotels across the world </li><li>Exclusive access to top restaurants across the world </li><li>Access to exclusive events and bespoke travel itineraries </li></ul><h3>Golf</h3> <ul><li>Four complimentary green fees at participating clubs for the primary cardholder at international courses. </li><li>Unlimited golf access via complimentary green fee and buggy in India. </li></ul><h3>Partners for miles transfer</h3>Air Asia, Air Canada, Air France – KLM, Air India, Air Vistara, Accor, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, IHG Hotels &amp; Resorts, ITC, Japan Airlines, Marriott International Qantas Airways, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, Thai Airways, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and Wyndham Hotels &amp; Resorts. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/fada-urges-banks-to-tighten-funding-to-dealers-as-rains-play-spoilsport-in-august/articleshow/113111945.cms">FADA urges banks to tighten funding to dealers as rains play spoilsport in August</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/india-beats-the-us-to-emerge-as-the-second-biggest-market-for-5g-smartphones/articleshow/113095322.cms">India beats the US to emerge as the second-biggest market for 5G smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-iphone-16-to-launch-on-september-9-design-specs-and-everything-we-know-so-far/articleshow/113091114.cms">Apple iPhone 16 to launch on September 9 – design, specs and everything we know so far</a>

Here are the benefits you get with India’s most expensive credit card with a ₹3.54 lakh annual fee

The Civil Aviation Ministry, for the first time, got its <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=budget+2017&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Budget 2017 </a>wishlist vetted by professionals and has sent its recommendations to <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=arun+jaitley&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Arun </a><a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=arun+jaitley&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Jaitley</a>-led <keyword id="47209" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Finance-Ministry">Finance Ministry</keyword>. 
 
As a part of its wishlist, the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=aviation&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">aviation ministry</a> has sought reduction in excise duty on <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=ATF&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Aviation Turbine Fuel</a> (ATF), or jet fuel, from 14% to 8%. 
 
"Excise duty was raised when crude prices were low. Now they are inching up and the government can easily cut excise duty, which will also help shield airlines from a hike in jet fuel prices,” a government official, who did not want to be named, told ET. 
 
Rising fuel cost has been a major concern for the aviation sector. 
 
“Any rise in price of fuel, which constitutes a large part of our cost, is a concern but we may not be impacted that much because the government was raising taxes when crude was falling. So, the full benefit of crude decline was never transferred to airlines, which can act as a shield for us,” SpiceJet Chairman Ajay Singh had said. 
 
Other requests include keeping ATF in the GST ambit.

You Searched For "spicejet gst" and got 8 results

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SpiceJet MD says that lower taxes can help connect India to the world

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The Indian government is planning a rescue package for the aviation sector as the losses pile up

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Here are the benefits you get with India’s most expensive credit card with a ₹3.54 lakh annual fee

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Aviation ministry has sent its Budget 2017 wishlist to Arun Jaitely. Here’s what they expect

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