Air India will have to close if not privatised: Puri

The Government will have to close down Air India, if it is not privatised, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Hardeep K Puri, said on Wednesday.

During question hour in Rajya Sabha, the Minister said while disinvestment, the government will protect the interest of all its employees.

He also said that the government has withheld the 25% salaries of employees working in different categories when the company was in financial crises. Before privatisation, the government will clear all its dues, he said.

While handing over to the private government will protect the interest of current employees including their health cover, he said.