No vindictive action, come for talks: Govt to AI pilots
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On the eighth day of Air India strike, Government on Tuesday promised to hear the pilots' grievances unconditionally and appealed to them to return to work as the 'almost bankrupt' airline had already lost Rs 150 crore and they had the 'last chance' to revive it.
Replying to a debate in Lok Sabha during which members voiced concern over the hardship caused to passengers by the strike, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said there would be no vindictive action if the striking pilots came for talks unconditionally, but remained silent on the fate of the 71 pilots already sacked.
"Strike is not an answer to solve your grievances .... All the grievances will be heard unconditionally. You come to talks unconditionally ... please go back to work," he said while replying to a debate on the civil aviation sector and Air India.
"Air India management will in no way be vindictive towards any employee .... a lot of young people have just joined (as pilots). But the first priority should be that passengers are not inconvenienced," he said.
His response came as members from all sides wanted an immediate end to the pilots' agitation and expressed concern over the health of Air India, while questioning the decision of merging the two erstwhile state-run carriers -- Air India and Indian Airlines. The issue also figured in the Rajya Sabha.
Singh said Air India, which was already 'almost bankrupt', had lost Rs 150 crore due to the strike which completed eight days. Its credibility was also affected.
Regretting that pilots had resorted to strike during peak season, he said the government had announced Rs 30,000 crore as bailout package over eight years.
"This is bailout is not without strings. They have to meet strict standards. If they meet these standards, then we will release public money. We can't keep pouring public money. This is the last chance for them to perform," the Minister said, seeking cooperation of all employees in this regard.
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