Kathmandu, November 28:

A writ petition was filed today in the Supreme Court challenging a recent agreement between the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation and airlines operators to collect surcharge from consumers.

A group of lawyers including Jyoti Baniya filed the petition against the Ministry and the

airlines operators charging them of collecting surcharge from the customers without any legal authority.

The petitioners claimed that it was illegal to impose such a charge by any body without legislative authority.

The Ministry has recently authorised the airlines operators to collect Rs 50 to Rs 500 from each customer.

The petitioners have sought an SC order to the defendants stopping them from collecting illegal tax and set up a panel to find out whether it is necessary impose surcharge.