Airport Employees protest

Its here too. The protest by the AAI Employees Union. The nationwide strike has the government on alert, and the IAF has been put on standby in case things go out of hand. Protests in front of the Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in New Delhi, housing the Civil Aviation ministry, are intense and being led by MP's belonging to the communist parties. For once I hope they will relish this great opportunity to garner votes at the expense of national good. Not surprisingly, Kolkata Airport has been reported to be affected the most by the strikers, because of its ill fortune to be situated in the commie bastion. There has been violence in Mumbai, where the slum dwellers have been a part of the agitation, for fear that they will be removed to clear space.

Here we can see employees in front of the Civil Aviation Ministry offices in New Delhi


Here we see two communist MP's leading the protests in New Delhi


I also feel that the government, particularly Mrs. Gandhi and the Cabinet, are aware whats at stake here. If this process goes through and the AAI employees are convinced that this process has their interests in mind as well, then it will go a long way in establishing India's growth as a modern economy.

By the way, a forumer on SSC found their blogspot!

http://www.aaiforum.blogspot.com/

This entire process will give everyone, and I am hoping the GoI in particular, the chance to introspect and take a hard look at what went wrong with the bidding process, and possibly the outcome. The process needs to be strengthened so that future parlays are not held to ransom by a few militant unions. We must make an effort to change the socialistic mindset of these left-leaning unions and if we can't, then we must make an effort to make it clear to them that they will not be allowed to hinder the process.

I hope the government's non-chalant attitude as noticed in the news article below is only a front and that they have done their homework. The Cabinet is well aware that a process of such enormous repercussions will not be without its share of protests and litigation. With Anil Ambani looking ominous with his calls of "untenable and unconstitutional" bidding process, the Government is well advised to get its paperwork together and prepare for a showdown, although I hope it will not be as intense as the word suggests.

Airport strike intensifies, Govt says won't interfere

The Cabinet on Wednesday decided not to interfere with the privatisation of the Delhi and Mumbai airports or the right of the employees to protest.

Referring to the two Hyderabad-based consortia awarded the contracts for modernising the airports, Dasmunsi said: "The Cabinet cannot interfere with the selection process. The Government will also not interfere with the rights of trade unions to protest.

Reacting to the Reliance group threatening legal action and alleging that tender conditions were changed, the minister said: "Any group enjoys the right to go to court and get a writ if they feel they are aggrieved."

Airfields close to Delhi and Mumbai have been put on alert.

Passenger services at all airports were affected even as officials claimed that flights across the country operated smoothly.

Baggage handling has also been affected at various airports due to strike. The authorities have advised passengers to travel light.

All flights to and from Kolkata were cancelled. The Air Traffic Control (ATC), which had earlier issued notice that flights could neither land nor take off, have withdrawn the notice. Some flights may now take off.

Cabinet approves contracts

Also, the Union Cabinet has approved the selection of GMR-Fraport and GVK-South African Airports consortia for the modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports.

"The Cabinet has accorded its approval to the report of empowered Group of Ministers on Delhi and Mumbai modernisation and restructuring plan," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Manmohan Singh.