By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: The Minister of State in the Ministry Of Civil Aviation (Gen. (Dr) V.K.Singh Retd) in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Monday said that interests of the employees of Air India and Indian Airlines have been taken care of by the Government and incorporated in the Share Purchase Agreement signed with the Strategic Partner on 25.10.2021.
In accordance with the applicable laws, the Strategic Partner, post disinvestment, shall continue to provide Gratuity and PF benefits to the employees. The arrangement with the employees and Life Insurance Corporation of India for administrating the existing Air India and Indian Airlines employees Self Contributory Superannuation Pension Fund Trust will continue. Further, with regard to the medical benefits, they are to be made available to the retired and eligible retiring AI beneficiaries by the Government.
He said, the Ministry of Civil Aviation, with a view to promote the growth of Indian Aviation sector released the National Civil Aviation Policy (NCAP) 2016 on 15.06.2016. The aim of the Government is to provide an ecosystem for the harmonised growth of various aviation sub-sectors, i.e Airlines, Airports, Cargo, Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul services (MRO), General Aviation, Aerospace Manufacturing, Skill Development, etc. Expansion and development of infrastructure facilities at the airports is a continuous process and is undertaken on the operational requirements for safety of aircraft operation and demand from airlines, depending upon availability of land and viability, as well as other facilities with reference to intended aircraft operations.
AAI has embarked upon a CAPEX plan for development/upgradation/ modernization of various airports in the country to meet the requirement of Air traffic which includes new Greenfield airports, expansion/ modification of existing terminal, new terminals, expansion/strengthening of existing runways, aprons, Air Navigation Services (ANS) works like control tower, technical block, etc. As per the FDI Policy, 100% FDI is permitted in scheduled Air Transport Service/Domestic Scheduled Passenger Airline (Automatic up to 49% and Government route beyond 49%) subject to sectoral and other conditions mentioned therein.
