Originally Posted by vickh
Originally Posted by GUWonder
Plenty of non-citizen Indian residents -- Russian, Turkish, Egyptian, Somali, Afghan, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Thai, Japanese, Chinese, Israeli, French, Brazilian, Colombian, Venezuelan, and Mexican citizens (amongst others) -- legally avail themselves to the local air fares without showing proof of residence in India.
why these countries? I'm Indian born and raised, american citizen(lived here since I was a teenager). When I was in India a few years ago they didn't question me anywhere when I bought and flew on local price tickets. Makes me think I should have paid those fares for my non Indian wife (white). I didn't see any special markers on those tickets. Does the airline actually keep the premium on these tickets or the govt.?
I know persons in India from those above countries who are residents of India and who avail themselves to the local rates as they are entitled.
In India, the presumption often has been "he/she looks Indian then must be Indian resident". The "foreigner" premium on the tickets is kept by whatever entity is charging that premium. Foreign spouses of "residents of India" who are classified as residents of India also may avail of the local rates. However, you and a spouse may be challenged to demonstrate residency. (It happens far less often than it used to but is a case of YMMV.)
Originally Posted by vickh
Originally Posted by GUWonder
The dual-pricing (i.e., resident rates vs. non-resident rates) set-up existed even before the Indian government existed and is not limited to government entities.
What do you mean? Did the british colonists do this also?
Two things:
1. Firms in India before India's independence from Britain also had dual-pricing in play in transportation and in other areas of commerce.
2. Some private firms in operation before 1947 (and some private firms even now) have/had dual-pricing in play.
That is, the dual-pricing set-up existed in India before an independent Indian government existed; and dual-pricing is even in play with some private firms even in the absence of government regulation.