New Delhi: Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Thursday that people are very interested in acquiring national carrier Air India and he has been receiving calls from all over the world in this regard. He also said it was clear that there should be total privatisation of the national airline and "we have to get the best possible deal" in the shortest time available.
This is a second attempt by the Modi government to privatise the cash-strapped Air India. Its efforts to sell 76 per cent stake failed in 2018. "Are people interested in acquiring Air India? I would say yes. Very much so. Why are they keen on acquiring it?...(Because) it is a first rate airline, and whoever acquires it will be very fortunate and well...he will be (able to) run it according to private sector principles," the minister told a press conference here after a media workshop for civil aviation correspondents.
After analysing the Air India's disinvestment process of 2018, the then transaction adviser 'EY' in its report cited the government retaining 24 per cent stake and corresponding rights and high debt as reasons for the failure of the disinvestment process. The minister said on Thursday, "The interest has to be expressed in a formal manner after the Expression of Interest has been released. A lot of people come to Pradeep (Kharola). they come to Ashwini (Lohani), they come and speak to me, and I get calls from all over the world."
Pradeep Singh Kharola is Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Ashwani Lohani is the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) for Air India. The Central government is expected to release the Expression of Interest by October to invite formal bids.
30/08/19 PTI/Business Today
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This is a second attempt by the Modi government to privatise the cash-strapped Air India. Its efforts to sell 76 per cent stake failed in 2018. "Are people interested in acquiring Air India? I would say yes. Very much so. Why are they keen on acquiring it?...(Because) it is a first rate airline, and whoever acquires it will be very fortunate and well...he will be (able to) run it according to private sector principles," the minister told a press conference here after a media workshop for civil aviation correspondents.
After analysing the Air India's disinvestment process of 2018, the then transaction adviser 'EY' in its report cited the government retaining 24 per cent stake and corresponding rights and high debt as reasons for the failure of the disinvestment process. The minister said on Thursday, "The interest has to be expressed in a formal manner after the Expression of Interest has been released. A lot of people come to Pradeep (Kharola). they come to Ashwini (Lohani), they come and speak to me, and I get calls from all over the world."
Pradeep Singh Kharola is Secretary in the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Ashwani Lohani is the Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) for Air India. The Central government is expected to release the Expression of Interest by October to invite formal bids.
30/08/19 PTI/Business Today
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