Air India stake sale: Arun Jaitley hints at speedy decision

Cabinet had in June given in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment of the national carrier

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has indicated that an expeditious decision would be taken on Air India disinvestment, with at least two parties having formally expressed interest in buying stake in the national carrier. "These decisions are to be taken expeditiously but in their normal course," Jaitley told reporters on Wednesday.
 

The Union Cabinet had in June given in-principle approval for strategic disinvestment of the carrier and its subsidiaries. Surviving on taxpayers' money, the airline has been in the red for long and various proposals, including government think tank NITI Aayog's suggestion for complete privatisation, have been made. The government will be taking steps to appoint a "regular person" to the post of chairman and managing director of Air India, civil aviation secretary R N Choubey said.