AVIATION NEWS                                      Back To Index Page

BJP demands parliamentary probe into Air India's management

     New Delhi: The BJP has sought a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe into the working of Air India, which has recorded 8000 crore rupees losses. Raising the issue in Lok Sabha, Shatrughan Sinha accused the Civil Aviation Ministry of "completely mismanaging" the national carrier that has resulted in the 'Maharaja' turning a 'pauper' with a 8000 crore rupee loss. The filmstar-turned politician said matters have come to such a pass that the Frankfurt airport, a major aviation hub, has sought a bank guarantee from Air India for continuance of ground-handling services for the national carrier following a default in payment. Meanwhile, a Congress member demanded setting-up of a regulatory authority for monitoring the functioning of private airlines. Earlier, Trade Unions in the National Aviation Company had sought Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's intervention in Air India affairs. The five unions have formed a joint front called the Federation of NACIL Employees (FONE). Shiv Sena's Rajya Sabha MP and Air India Union Leader, Bharat Kumar Raut had slammed government's volte face on the issue of wage-cuts. "Patel, on June 10 last year, had assured all employees that there will be no wage cuts and no job losses in Air India. The Joint Secretary, Civil Aviation, R K Singh, in a letter to the employees had also assured the same," Raut had said. Terming the Air India management's decision to defer payment of June salary to employees by 15 days and asking senior officials to voluntarily give up their July salaries, Raut said "The management should be transparent and accountable to the employees as well."
-July 22,  2009