Hardeep Puri takes pilot’s seat amid turbulence in aviation sector

Hardeep Singh Puri, the new Civil Aviation Minister, took charge of office on Friday amid distress in the sector that recently saw grounding of a private airline and concerns over debt-laden Air India, which the government wants to sell off.

After taking charge, Puri, a former Indian Foreign Service officer, held a meeting with senior officials who prepped him about the promises made in the sector and the challenges ahead.

“I will meet you once I get to know about the sector,” Puri, who has been given the rank of Minister of State (Independent Charge), told reporters.