Lok Sabha Debates
Issue Regarding Strike By The Pilots Of Air India. on 15 May, 2012
> Title: Issue regarding strike by the pilots of Air India.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: Okay.
Madam, the strike by the pilots of Air India is continuing for more than fifteen days. Former Civil Aviation Ministers are here. There was a discussion. The matter was raised by Comrade Gurudas Dasgupta during Zero Hour about ten or twelve days before, and then again under Rule 193. During this period, instead of having measures initiated to resolve the issues, to resolve the strike, to discuss with the Association and to address the problems, the Civil Aviation Minister is making statements outside this House, statements on policy matters. When the House is in session, Madam, how can a Minister make a statement outside on a policy matter?
I would like to know from the Government what efforts the Minister has taken to resolve the issue. Moreover, Madam, services of more than 80 pilots have been terminated so far and the number may increase further. … (Interruptions) A large number of flights have been cancelled causing inconvenience to passengers. We discussed here in this House the problems that arose after the merger and how the national carrier, a Central public sector undertaking, was deliberately made sick by this Government, UPA-II Government, to serve the interest of the Minister.
We now have seen, Madam, that the Minister has made a statement that the national carrier Air India would be privatized. We have seen in the past a move to privatize Indian Airlines and Air India before their merger. Now without addressing the problems of the national carrier, a public sector undertaking, the Minister’s only motive is to discredit the national carrier and to sell it. He has made it very clear that the Government will not take the responsibility of running Air India.
I would like to know from the Government how the Minister, a policy-maker, can make such a statement outside this House on privatization of a particular public sector undertaking which is a policy matter. I would like to know from the Government the steps that have been taken to resolve the issue.
Instead of victimizing the workers, the pilots, why does the Government not sincerely try to resolve the issue by having discussions with the representatives of the unions or associations?
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you. Please conclude now. There is a discussion under Rule 193 on this subject listed for today.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: The order of dismissal of pilots should be terminated – the order of dismissal should be withdrawn forthwith; favourable conditions should be created and then, measures should be taken to revive the public sector undertaking, the national carrier.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you. There is a discussion under Rule 193 slated for discussion later in the day today.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: The Government should not resort to privatize Air India. The Government should take immediate action to save Air India. Thank you.
MADAM SPEAKER:
Shri M.B. Rajesh is allowed to associate with the issue raised by Shri Basu Deb Acharia.
Just wait. There is a discussion under Rule 193 slated for discussion later in the day today. So, please do not prolong this.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA (GHATAL): Madam, I am not on that. You may kindly remember that this House, on the 60th Anniversary of Parliament, had adopted a unanimous Resolution. The third point of the Resolution is “Accountability of the Government to the Parliament.” It means the collective accountability and accountability of the Ministers. The point is that it is the privilege of the House and the right of the House that when the House is in Session, any important policy statement has to be made on the floor of the House. That is the general tradition, that is the Parliamentary practice, and that is the accountability.
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA: No. Please listen to me.
This is the statement. He made a statement on the 14th saying that merger had not worked. He made another statement saying that merger did not go as planned. Yesterday, I was looking at the TV. On NDTV, he was speaking eloquently. Everybody loves to speak on TV and there is nothing wrong. He said that there should not be a national carrier. Please understand the implications. Secondly he asked what does the Government do in the service sector.
Madam, please take the three statements – he is against merger, he is against national carrier, and he is against the Government entering the service sector. It is a policy decision. He is not competent to take a decision. The Cabinet has to take a decision.
MADAM SPEAKER: All right; you made your point. Thank you. Please sit down.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA: Going beyond the Cabinet, he is making statements everywhere. Not only that. Please allow me two minutes.
MADAM SPEAKER: How can I do that? It is already listed for discussion this afternoon.
SHRI GURUDAS DASGUPTA: I am saying that he must be called to this House and made to explain. Otherwise, we shall collectively move a privilege motion against him. Please call him immediately to explain; otherwise, all of us together will move a privilege motion. … (Interruptions) I hope that everyone will support me. … (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER: Please send your slips.
… (Interruptions)
MADAM SPEAKER:
Shri Virendra Kumar, Shri Rajendra Agrawal, Shri P. Lingam, Shri Bhoopendra Singh, Shri Jitendra Singh Bundela and Shrimati Jyoti Dhurve are allowed to associate with the issue raised by Shri Gurudas Dasgupta.
… (Interruptions)
अध्यक्ष महोदया : आप इनके बाद बोलेंगे, अभी बैठ जाइए।
…( व्यवधान)
श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज (विदिशा): अध्यक्षा जी, विषय यह नहीं है कि चर्चा हो रही है और वे आकर जवाब देंगे, सवाल यह है कि चर्चा हुई और चर्चा का उत्तर न आकर गंगा वाली दूसरी चर्चा शुरू हो गई। लेकिन इस बीच सदन की अवमानना करते हुए मंत्री महोदय़ बाहर बोले। जो तीन चीजें अभी गुरुदास दासगुप्ता जी ने कहीं कि यहां नैशनल कैरियर की जरूरत नहीं है, सरकार को सर्विस सैक्टर में आना नहीं चाहिए। इतने बड़े नीतिगत मुद्दे और इतनी बड़ी नीतियों के ऊपर व्याख्यान, क्या कोई मंत्री सदन के चलते बाहर बयान दे सकता है, खास तौर पर उस विषय पर जिसका सदन में संज्ञान लिया जा चुका है, जिस पर सदन में चर्चा हो रही है, जिसमें उनका जवाब आना है? प्रश्न यह है, प्रश्न यह नहीं है कि वे नियम 193 के अंतर्गत उठाई गई चर्चा का जवाब देंगे। जो सवाल गुरुदास दासगुप्ता जी ने उठाया है, वह प्वाइंट ऑफ आर्डर और प्वाइंट ऑफ प्रॉपरायटी का उठाया है। ...( व्यवधान)
SHRI GURUDAS D ASGUPTA: Madam, it is a privilege issue.
श्रीमती सुषमा स्वराज: प्वाइंट ऑफ प्रॉपरायटी है जिस पर प्रिविलेज बनेगा। एक चर्चा जो सदन में चल रही है, उस पर उन्हें अभी जवाब देना है। वह जवाब सदन में न देकर बाहर टीवी चैनलों पर दे रहे हैं, बाहर बोल रहे हैं। यह प्रश्न प्रिविलेज का बनता है। इसमें सदन के विशेषाधिकार का हनन हुआ है। इसलिए हंमारा आपसे अनुरोध है कि आप मंत्री जी को बुलाइए। चर्चा का नहीं, यह जो प्रश्न उठा है, इसका जवाब दें कि वे बाहर क्यों बोल रहे हैं, अंदर आकर क्यों नहीं बोल रहे हैं।...( व्यवधान)