The government in the revised draft policy, unveiled on October 30, had proposed 2 per cent levy on all airfares to mop up funds for its regional connectivity scheme, a move which has been opposed by various stake holders, including global aviation body, IATA.
"Exact nature of the levy is being worked out. Once the Cabinet approves the levy, then of course it will take place," Civil Aviation Secretary R N Choubey said here on the sidelines of the 29th anniversary of nodal aviation security agency BCAS.
"(It is) because the fall in the prices of ATF will vary substantially capture and absorb the impact of this very small levy," he said.
The government had earlier planned to levy the proposed cess from January. However, it deferred the move due to its failure to finalise the draft civil aviation policy, which is expected to be taken to the Cabinet for approval this month.
The proposal has, however, been opposed by various stake holders on the ground that an additional charge would only increase the ticket prices with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) terming it as "against the International Civil Aviation Organisation's norms".
RCS is one of the thrust areas of the draft policy.
"Nature of levy is under discussion and whatever be the case of the levy it will not include these airports," he said.
Choubey also said the ministry was in discussions with the state governments and airline operators on the issue of 15 regional airports, which have been proposed in this year's union budget.
"While the policy gets approved, these airports will also be identified. It is a matter of one month," he added.
He said that stress would be on building cost effective, aircraft-centric security rather than airport-centric security.