'Politics coming in way of Jet-Etihad deal': Ajit Singh

Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Tuesday said that those politicians questioning the Jet-Etihad deal are "long on politics and short on facts".

"They should have checked facts," Singh told the media here.

Stating that the concerns raised on the deal are being addressed by the regulatory bodies, Singh said: "Any plane of any country if they have to fly over the defence thing, they have to take permission from defence. Any time a new airline comes, you have to ask permission from the Home Ministry and IB. And they are flying all over the world"

"Mr. Jaswant Singh has a problem. Jaswant Singh was the Defence Minister, we are following the same rules," he added.

He stressed that the deal is the largest overseas investment in an Indian carrier since India eased restrictions to allow foreign firms up to a 49 percent stake in the country's airlines.

"1937 aircraft rules specify that place of business and management has to be India. So, they will be treated like any other Indian company. Whether they are 49 percent or not," he said.

Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy and senior BJP leader Jaswant Singh had earlier written to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh raising questions and alleged security implications over the deal.

Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth has called a meeting today to discuss the Jet Airways-Etihad deal. The meeting of Secretaries is expected to discuss the security-related concerns raised by the Prime Minister's office. Abu Dhabi's national carrier Etihad Airways had on April 24, announced that it would purchase 24 percent stake in Jet for 2,058 crore rupees.