March 3, 2015
Saugata Roy raises the issue of privatisation of airports in 4 cities | Transcript
Hon’ble Deputy Speaker Sir, I seek a permission to raise a Matter of Urgent Public Importance in the Zero Hour. If permitted, I would raise the issue briefly as under:
The Government of India has proposed to privatise four airports in India namely Kolkata, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur recently. These airports employ more than five thousand employees. These airports were modernised recently by spending above Rs 5000 Crore from the public exchequer. Privatisation means handing over assets built at a public cost to private parties. The Airport Authority of India which runs over more than 125 airports is fully equipped with all infrastructures in par with international standards.
Now the step of the Government will ultimately cause the air travelers to be taxed heavily. With the best airports privatised, the Airport Authority of India will go into financial bankruptcy. The CAG in its report mentioned that privatisation of Delhi Airport is a big scam. A similar scam is going to happen here. I have already spoken to the Civil Aviation Minister and the Prime Minister against privatisation.
In this circumstance, I appeal to this August House to stop this move of the Government to save these airports and ensure the security of services of airport employees.
The employees of Airport Authority, led by the recognised Airport Authority Employees Union have been agitating against privatisation for sometime now. They will be holding a dharna in Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on 10 March, 2015 and a one day token strike all over India will be observed on 11 March, 2015.
I appeal to all the Members cutting across political line, to support this against privatisation.
