Praful Patel retains civil aviation portfolio

New Delhi: Praful Patel, the man who decisively changed the Indian aviation sector by opening up the skies and making air travel popular, is back in Union Cabinet with the same portfolio.
Patel, 51, whose five-year tenure saw low-cost carriers attracting high-end train travellers, also initiated stiff competition leading to lowering of air fares.
Liberalisation measures initiated by Patel led to major mergers and acquisitions in the sector involving Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher Airlines. He also began the process of modernising aviation infrastructure in the country.
However, Patel returns to the sector at a time when it is undergoing a deep crisis, with the Indian aviation industry alone accounting for almost one-third of the global losses.
Known as the 'Bidi King of Vidarbha', the NCP leader joined the family business in his teens and increased its financial strength which is now worth over Rs 500 crore. He also diversified the business from primarily tobacco to pharmaceuticals, finance and real estate.
A staunch follower of Sharad Pawar, Patel, who was elected thrice to the Lok Sabha and once to the Rajya Sabha, switched over to NCP and was made a minister in 2004.
28/05/09 Noor Khan/SamayLive

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General May 2009