AI strike figures in Parliament; oppn attacks govt

In the Lok Sabha, a short duration discussion on need to bring comprehensive policy changes in Civil Aviation sector took place during which opposition members said the problems afflicting Air India dated back to several years and that the entire aviation industry was on "ventilator".

In the Rajya Sabha, BJP members, led by Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi voiced concern over the Air India strike and said private airlines were taking undue advantage by substantially hiking the fares, thereby fleecing the passengers.

Initiating the discussion in the Lok Sabha, Gurudas Dasgupta (CPI) said by terminating the services of striking pilots government would not be able to achieve much and talks were the only means to end the stalemate.

"The government is incapable to the extent that it can't put in order its own flagship carrier...It is a long story of mismanagement, misappropriation, malpractice and patronisation of private players," he said.

Dubbing the current situation of Air India as a "story of colossal blunder", he said politicians and " may be" ministers, bureaucrats and businessmen are to be blamed.

Asking Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh not to get upset, Dasgupta - apparently referring to Vayalar Ravi - said a "good minister who was doing good work" was shunted out for "electoral gains" and to increase the UPA tally in Parliament.

He said Air India and Indian Airlines were making profit and whenever there was a proposal to merge them, they started making losses. (MORE)