New Delhi: Beleaguered Air India may not get even half of the Rs 800-crore it has sought from the government for flying VVIPs abroad, as the finance ministry thinks it is an "unexamined figure" . The cash-strapped national carrier , which has been unable to pay the April and May salaries of its 40,000 employees, had estimated an expenditure of Rs 800 crore for flying VVIPs abroad over two years.
Last week, the government released Rs 250 crore to the airline to clear a part of its fuel bills. "The finance ministry says the Rs 800 crore is an unexamined figure and has indicated that it will release only about . 100 crore more. It has asked us to suggest cheaper alternatives to carry out VVIP operations ," a senior official at the civil aviation ministry told ET. The government was even looking into whether the air force would be a cheaper option for such operations, the official said.
"These are audited figures, which we have arrived at after following all operational standards," a senior Air India official said, adding, "Paying us or not is the government's prerogative." The airline is also seeking an additional Rs 400 crore for Libya evacuation and Haj operations. The airline, which is Rs 40,000 crore in debt, made losses of Rs 5,500 crore last fiscal. It has been asked by the finance ministry to produce an effective turnaround plan before more equity can be infused or a letter of comfort issued by the government.
17/06/11 Anindya Upadhyay/Economic Times
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