CPI(M) for scan of Jet-Sahara deal

The CPI(M) today demanded an inquiry into the Jet-Sahara merger, questioning the provision to award Sahara's entitlements to the Jet Airways. The party would oppose the deal and raise it at all appropriate forums, CPI(M) MP Nilotpal Basu said in a press briefing today.

Entitlements to airport infrastructure were awarded to an entity, but if the entity (Sahara) ceased to exist, entitlements couldn't be transferred, Basu told Business Standard later.

He added that Indian Airlines had also written to the government expressing reservations about the deal.

The party also wanted an inquiry as to how Jet Airways got the money to effect a merger with Sahara, said Basu. The party also had apprehensions about the employees' interest as a result of the deal, he said. "There are many other aspects of the deal, which need to be looked into," Basu said.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement today that the UPA government, by voting with the US, EU-3 and others in the February board meeting of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has been party to the Iran issue going to the Security Council.

The IAEA board meeting from March 6-8 resulted in the Iran nuclear issue being forwarded to the UN Security Council. With the report of the director-general being forwarded to the council, the matter is now outside the ambit of the IAEA.

"The prime minister's statement in Parliament was notable for the omission that the issue should be settled within the framework of the IAEA. There was not a word that the matter should not be referred to the Security Council. Thanks to the capitulation to US pressure, India stands with the bellicose, illegal stand of the Bush administration. This is against our vital interests," a party statement said.

The CPI (M) statement said the US was instrumental in rejecting a Russian proposal which would have resolved the Iran nuclear issue by allowing a small amount of enrichment of fuel for research purposes which would have been under IAEA safeguards.

Citing that the US was still opposed to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, the party said, "We have deliberately spoilt relations with Iran, jeopardising the much-needed energy supplies."