Lok Sabha Debates
Reported Denial Of An Air Ticket By Air India To A Minister In Tamil Nadu ... on 10 August, 2010
> Title: Reported denial of an air ticket by Air India to a Minister in Tamil Nadu Government.
SHRI T.R. BAALU (SRIPERUMBUDUR): I would like to draw the kind attention of the hon. Minister of Civil Aviation through you in this august House. The hon. Minister for Hindu Religious Endowment of Tamil Nadu, Thiru K.R. Peria Karappan, went to the Chennai Airport with a valid wait-listed ticket to travel from Chennai to Madurai. But, to his surprise, even with a valid wait-listed ticket, he could only see the wife of an Indian Airlines officer traveling free of cost from Chennai to Madurai.
At the same time, I have also read in one of the newspapers Mint today about the sad financial status of Air India. Today it is reported that in the past six months of the fiscal year alone Air India has accumulated a loss of about Rs.2000 crore. Over and above, the Executive Director of Air India has stated that this is not a surprise to us.
MR. DEPUTY-SPEAKER: The name should be deleted.
SHRI T.R. BAALU : He said, Rs.2000 crore loss is not a surprise to us. Our estimate as far as this fiscal year is concerned is going to be Rs.5000 crore. In this state of affairs, Air India is not taking care of the Minister who has to travel with a valid wait-listed ticket. But, they have entertained the wife of an Indian Airlines officer free of cost. This state of affairs should be enquired into and proper action should be taken against whoever is found guilty for this.