Only Indians can head airline security

Mumbai: It is an official government order now: only Indian citizens can be appointed to the top security posts in airlines. The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS) last week finally cleared the air on the nationality aspect in airline security posts which till now was ridden with ambiguity.
Jet Airways had appointed Steve Ramiah, a Singaporean national as its vice-president, security, a month ago as the country did not clearly dictate the terms in such appointments.
"Only an Indian citizen shall be appointed as chief security officer (CSO) of any Indian air carrier and such CSO would directly report to head of the airlines concerned in all matters of security,'' said the order issued by M Malaviya, addl commissioner of security , BCAS, on September 24. The order was effected by Jet Airways' decision taken in the last week of August to have a foreigner as its vice-president, security. "Since Ramiah is a Singaporean national, the airline mentioned in its offer letter that his appointment would stand terminated if the Indian government does not approve of his employment with an Indian carrier,'' said a source.
29/09/08 Manju V/Times of India

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Categories: Foreign Sep 2008, Jet Airways Sep 2008, Safety Sep 2008