Wednesday, September 7 2005 10:44 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: Jharkhand, which pared tax on jet fuel hoping to attract airlines to Ranchi, yesterday (Sept 6, 2005) asked private airlines to operate more flights between the state capital and Kolkata.

"We have reduced sales tax on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to four per cent from 24 per cent in the state. This would help the operator to start service in the sector," Jharkhand Chief Minister, Arjun Munda, told reporters at a tourism road show held here on Monday (Sept 5, 2005) night.

"Airlines should operate daily flights in this sector," he said, replying to a question.

Many states, including Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan, have reduced tax on ATF to four per cent in a bid to attract more airlines to operate services to destinations in their states, which would in turn help increase inflow of high-end travellers.

Apart from this, Jharkhand was also going in for a public-private partnership to promote tourism in the state and a roadmap is under preparation.

Munda said to promote the eastern region, a proposal was floated to have a council on the lines of one functioning in West Bengal and Orissa. "I had a talk with my counterparts in West Bengal, Orissa and also with the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh," Munda said.

To a question whether the Maoist threat would pose problems for tourists, Munda said that the Maoists did not harm tourists.