Tata-SIA Airlines deal: Delhi HC seeks Centre's response

The Delhi High Court today sought response from the Centre and Tata-SIA Airlines on Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) plea seeking quashing of approvals being granted to commence its air transport operation.
A bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Pradeep Nandrajog issued notice to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Tata-Singapore Airlines (SIA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and others on FIA's interim application.
FIA has contended that since no formal notice was issued on its petition, therefore the pleadings in the matter have not been completed and are still at the admission stage.

"No notice has been issued till date in the present petition and the instant matter is simply tagged along with accompanying plea. The pleadings have not been completed," the petition said.
"It is therefore requested that formal notices shall be issued in the petition for completion of pleadings before matter is heard," it said.
The bench is likely to hear the matter on July 11 when FIA's petition as well as BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's PIL, opposing the clearance granted to the deal, would come up for hearing.
FIA's petition has alleged that "permitting Singapore Airlines to induct 49 percent foreign equity in Tata is in violation of FDI policy, 2012 framed by Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).