PMO grounds Civil Aviation freebies to former Secys, kin

New Delhi: The Prime Minister’s Office has raised strong objection to a Civil Aviation Ministry decision according all former Secretaries and their family members the lifelong privilege of free ticket upgrades to First Class on Air-India, along with escort and lounge facilities at airports.
The PMO has said it is specifically concerned about the “public message” this order would send when government finances are being used to bail out Air-India.
Sources said the PMO is also uncomfortable with a similar order passed for former Civil Aviation Ministers during the NDA government.
In a note to Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar on July 30, the PMO underlined that the order could set in place a “difficult precedent” as anyone who has served as Secretary in a particular department would want to avail privileges given to professionals in that sector, like Railways or A-I employees.
23/08/10 Pranab Dhal Samanta/Indian Express

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Categories: NACIL Aug 2010