Government will take a final decision on the financial restructuring of Air India only after receiving the opinion from the Reserve Bank of India .The final decision will be taken by the union cabinet later.
The Civil Aviation Ministry has moved a proposal for additional equity infusion of 6,600 crore rupees for the ailing carrier to enable the airline clear its massive dues. Government has already infused equity worth 2,000 crore rupees in the last two years. Talking to reporters in New Delhi after the meeting of Group of Ministers on Friday, the Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said that they discussed the recommendations of the officers' committee set up by the government for the purpose. He said, no final decision has yet been taken on any issue and discussions will continue.
The officers Committee report had recommended a multi-pronged strategy for turn around in the national carrier. This includes bail out package of 7,000 crore rupees and writing off part of its loan of 44,000 crore rupees for the purchase of aircraft and cutting down the remaining order. The Ministry had appointed a sub-committee headed by Special Secretary in the Finance Ministry V. Ramachandran to look into the restructuring plan.
The plan also called for drastic measures to bring the airline out of red by taking measures like freeze on pay and promotion to employees besides reduction in fuel costs. Our correspondent quoting official sources reports that the Civil Aviation Ministry is seeking 28,000 crore rupees package for the Air India to put it on sound rails in the next ten years.