'Air India has to approach BRPSE for revival'

Air India seeking Rs 1,200-crore equity infusion from the government notwithstanding, the troubled national carrier will approach the PSU revival body in the Department of Public Enterprises for a “package”.

Air India has roped in a private agency for working out financial details of the package, which it will seek from the Board for Reconstruction of Public Sector Enterprises (BRPSE).

“The Department of Public Enterprises and BRPSE are for revival. For revival package, they (Air India) will come to us....” Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said after Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel met him here today.

About the meeting, Deshmukh said, “We had a good discussion. We both had some issues which we have settled”. He said there were no differences between the two ministries over revival plan of Air India, which has accumulated losses over Rs 5,500 crore.

Deshmukh said Air India was working out details for seeking the revival package and once it was ready, “the whole issue will be sent to the BRPSE which will give its recommendations”.

Meanwhile, Air India has sought an equity infusion of Rs 1,200 crore from the government for tiding over its financial problems.