Reaffirming government’s plans to go ahead with the divestment of ailing national carrier Air India, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep S Puri said that the “government is determined to privatise Air India”. Speaking at a press conference, the minister reiterated that it is not government’s business to run airlines and hence Maharaja must go to a private player. However, the Air India brand will remain Air India, he added. Further, a disinvestment plan is expected to be placed before a ministerial body which will be headed by Amit Shah, Union Home Minister. A final decision is expected soon on the timing, price and amount of shares of Air India to be sold.
The government has been trying for some time now to get a suitable buyer for the state-run airline which faces cash and payment dues of Rs 58,000 crore. Last week, three top fuel suppliers had also severed the supply to six Air India airports as the airline struggled to make payments.
