<span style="color: #222222;">Ministry of Finance has directed all Ministries and Departments of Central Government to clear pending dues of Air India and purchase tickets from this airline in cash. The direction came after Air India stopped extending credit facility on purchase of air tickets. The Government of India has decided to disinvest Air India and the process of disinvestment of Air India and Air India Express is ongoing.</span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;"> </span><br />'' <span style="color: #222222;">The government has signed a share-purchase agreement with Tata Sons for strategic disinvestment of national carrier Air India. Earlier, Talace Private Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Group, had emerged as the successful bidder for Air India with a bid of 18 thousand crore rupees.</span>