Pitroda not cleared for Jet

IN PARLIAMENT

Leading private airline Jet Airways has put on its board a director whose security clearance is still awaited, contrary to norms laid out by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), reports PTI.

In reply to a question in the Lok Sabha last week, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel had said while security clearance was accorded to four directors, including Vijay Kelkar, a former finance secretary, it was still awaited for Sam G Pitroda.

Patel said in a written reply the company had sought security clearance after inducting certain individuals on its board of directors.

As per the stipulated norms on the appointment of a director, security clearance is "required to be obtained from the ministry of home affairs before the grant of an operating permit".

A Jet Airways spokesperson did not entertain any queries on the issue.

According to the offer document, released by Jet Airways for its initial public offer in February, Pitroda was appointed a director of the company on December 21, 2004. A day before the appointment, the company made a request to the government for his security clearance.

Jet Airways had sought security clearance of Charles A Adams in November 2003, PRS Oberoi in June 2004, Aman Mehta in October 2004 and Vijay Kelkar in November 2004, according to Patel.

The minister, however, clarified that no investigation had been conducted by the civil aviation ministry against Jet Airways in the past three years.

The DGCA circular of 1998, still in vogue, makes it very clear that the "appointment of any new director shall be made only after receiving a clearance from the government".