Remove budget arm’s COO, AI advised

New Delhi: The daggers are drawn between Air India management on one side and others, including the aviation ministry and board members, on the issue of the controversial appointment of Pawan Arora as AI Express COO and some other new `expensive' catches. A top ministry official said the airline has been advised to do "course correction," meaning cancelling the appointment of Arora.
Aviation minister Praful Patel said though the management is empowered to take any decision regarding staff selection, "I am sure that (it) will take a suitable decision if there is any controversial appointment. It is a question of an AI employee , so let management and board take care of issues."
The Maharaja had recently appointed a COO for AI and AI Express each for an annual package of Rs 3.1 crore and Rs 1.1 crore, respectively . It made two other appointments with annual package of about Rs 50 lakh each. The appointment of Pawan Arora as AI's COO has run into rough weather following adverse report from a member of the government safety panel set up after the Mangalore crash. Appointing a PR professional for an annual package of Rs 40-50 lakh has also raised eyebrows as the cash-strapped airline has a full fledged PR department.
03/11/10 Times of India

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Categories: Air India Budget Nov 2010, Air India Nov 2010