Patel to meet AI independent directors before board meet

Mumbai: Ahead of a crucial meeting of the Air India board tomorrow, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel is likely to meet the airline's independent directors.
"Air India board meeting scheduled for 1500 hours has now been deferred to 1700 hours as the Minister has called a meeting of the independent directors on the same day," sources told PTI here.
Just three days ago, Patel had a thorough scrutiny of steps taken by AI management to restructure the national carrier. His meeting with top airline officials came weeks after the government decided to infuse additional equity of Rs 1,200 crore in Air India.
Besides approving the presentations on its financial performance, its turnaround plan and steps taken to cut costs, the meeting is expected to discuss the contentious issue of wage rationalisation of over 26,000 employees.
The meeting is also likely to take up the issue of sacking of Air India Express Chief Operating Officer Capt Pawan Arora.
Although the board at a meeting on November 18 had recommended his sacking, he continues in the hot seat till date. There are reports that Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav and the independent directors are at variance on the issue of Arora continuing in the post despite the board's decision.
18/01/11 ress Trust of India/Business Standard

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Categories: Air India Jan 2011