New Delhi: Civil aviation minister Ashok Gajapathi Raju Pusapati is keen to push through the privatisation of airports starting with Chennai and Kolkata, but the opposition from state governments and the strong unions of Airports Authority of India (AAI) have emerged as a hurdle.
The minister told MAIL TODAY: "We are not against privatisation… We are looking at functional efficiency. If the public sector can assure efficiency and do it then it is good. Why not ? If they can't. Definitely there is an option open. Nothing will be done secretively".
Coming out in favour of privatisation of airports, he said "Everybody is accountable, be it the public sector or a private developer. A private party does not take away an airport in his pocket and run away. The infrastructure is still within the country and is governed under an Indian law. We are not in a hurry. It has to be done and it will be done. However, there is a procedure which is to be followed".
The minister said that the ministry of civil aviation would like to be involved in policy making. "We will set performance parameters," he added. The government is also keeping on hold the new civil aviation policy. It is understood that once the government comes out with some clarity on privatisation of airports, it would then release the new civil aviation policy.
04/10/14 Sanjay Singh/Business Today
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The minister told MAIL TODAY: "We are not against privatisation… We are looking at functional efficiency. If the public sector can assure efficiency and do it then it is good. Why not ? If they can't. Definitely there is an option open. Nothing will be done secretively".
Coming out in favour of privatisation of airports, he said "Everybody is accountable, be it the public sector or a private developer. A private party does not take away an airport in his pocket and run away. The infrastructure is still within the country and is governed under an Indian law. We are not in a hurry. It has to be done and it will be done. However, there is a procedure which is to be followed".
The minister said that the ministry of civil aviation would like to be involved in policy making. "We will set performance parameters," he added. The government is also keeping on hold the new civil aviation policy. It is understood that once the government comes out with some clarity on privatisation of airports, it would then release the new civil aviation policy.
04/10/14 Sanjay Singh/Business Today
