AI 'geared' to ensure smooth operations

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 25. Even as a new management took over the reigns of Air India, two largest unions of the airline - the Air India Employees Guild and the Air India Employees Union - comprising nearly 12,000 employees today denied any call for striking work in protest against the suspension of the AI managing director, Mr. M.P. Mascarenhas. A section of the press had reported on Thursday that the ground staff held a black band demonstration at the headquarters in Mumbai and planned to disrupt flights.

An airline spokesperson said there was no threat to flight operations. ``The management was fully geared to ensure smooth operation of all flights,'' she said here.

The deputy managing director, Mr. J.N. Gogoi, took over as managing director and Mr. V.N. Verma resumed charge as the commercial director. Mr. Verma was removed from this post a couple of months ago for what is said to be ``his anti- disinvestment'' views that matched the reservation that the Civil Aviation Minister, Mr. Sharad Yadav, had on privatising Government shares in the Maharaja.

Mr. Mascarenhas was placed under suspension on Wednesday pending inquiry by CBI, on charges of allegedly showing undue favours to Air India's general sales agent in London, first as commercial director in 1992 and then as managing director causing the company loss of several crores.

Fissures showed up in the Guild with four office- bearers today disowning the statement issued by its secretary, Mr. Y.E. Reddy and the general secretary, Mr. V.A. George, both considered ``close'' to Mr. Mascarenhas, that the ground staff would agitate against the Centre's decision.

In a communication to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the office- bearers said the circular regarding demonstration by wearing black badges was ``not a decision of the decision-making managing committee of AIEG''.

The office-bearers including the president Mr. V.S. Girdhar, vice-president, Mr. S.K. Ghosh, secretary, Mr. R.K. Savant and the assistant secretary, Mr. O. Lobo said the circular was an ``individual expression of Mr. Reddy and that they were not informed by Mr. George about it.

The Air India's Employees Union and the Air Corporation Employees Union with a membership of about 5,000 employees also denied any move for agitation. ``It is a disgrace that certain elements in Air India are trying to settle scores by raising trade union banners whereas the case is purely against an individual. All employees welcome the step taken by the Ministry to make Air India corruption free,'' the general secretary, Mr. J.D. Sharma, and the president, Mr. G.S. Sejwal, said in a press note today.

CBI receives notification

PTI reports:

The CBI today received a formal request from the Government to probe into allegations of corruption and irregularities against the suspended managing director of Air India, Mr. Michael P. Mascarenhas.

The request was received from the Civil Aviation Ministry and the agency was scrutinising it, an agency spokesman said here this evening. Various departments of the CBI would examine the available material to decide whether there was a prima facie case against the person, he said.

Govt. defends deals

The Civil Aviation Ministry today defended the spate of bilateral air service agreements with other countries, one of the issues on which Mr. Mascarenhas had developed differences with the Government. Signing of agreements, under which foreign airlines get air traffic rights, has been criticised by Air India unions and the suspended chief was also credited with the view that this would affect the value of airline which is in the process of being privatised. However, the ministry, in a note released today, justified the signing of agreements with 96 countries of these designated airlines of 47 countries are operating scheduled air services to India.

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