Praful wears a smile and says AI is safe

New Delhi: Praful Patel leaves the civil aviation ministry with national carrier Air India gasping for breath and as new heavy industries minister he will have to decide if the airline should be declared sick.
Air India's sorry state is being seen as a key reason behind Patel's shift to the low-visibility heavy industries and public enterprises portfolio. His elevation to cabinet rank did not come as a surprise, but his shift to the new ministry definitely came as one.
''AI will get my fullest support. It is not a case for being declared sick,'' Patel told TOI.
Observers say Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decision to give additional charge of aviation to prominent Congress leader from Kerala Vayalar Ravi, is to prevent the national carrier from closing down.
Ravi is a former trade union leader and has an understanding of how the public sector enterprises function. His experience may come in handy for the crisis-ridden airline. AI's turnaround plans are yet to be implemented.
Patel said he had leaving the civil aviation in good health. ''It is now a ''sunshine sector''.
He said he would look back on his aviation minister days with great satisfaction.
20/01/11 Saurabh Sinha/Times of India

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Categories: Air India Jan 2011, Indian Aviation- In General Jan 2011