India refuses comply with EU carbon tax scheme

PanARMENIAN.Net - Indian airlines will not to comply with the European Union's (EU) carbon taxation scheme, according to civil aviation minister Ajit Singh, BBC News reported.

The EU has directed Indian carriers to submit emission details of their aircraft by 31 March.

But Mr Singh told parliament that "no Indian carrier is submitting them in view of the position of the government".

Last month, China said its airlines would not pay the EU tax. Many other countries, including Russia and the US, have also objected to the scheme.

They insist the tax on CO2 emissions from aircraft flying to or from destinations outside Europe fails to comply with international law.

Brussels has insisted the carbon tax is essential if it is to meet its obligation to reduce emissions by 20% by 2020.

In December 2011, the European Court of Justice ruled that the EU tax was legal.

The tax, which the EU says could make long-haul flights up to 12 euros ($16) more expensive, was introduced in January, though airlines will not have to start paying it until next year.