MUMBAI: Alok Kumar Sharan, the second in command in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), India's aviation regulatory body, faces a possible dismissal from service for misusing power and helping his daughter earn a Commercial Pilot Licence through unfair means. Sharan also broke rules to aid the opening of a flying school where his daughter subsequently underwent flying training. It is the first time in the history of DGCA that such major action has been recommended against a top official.
"Two days ago the civil aviation ministry has recommended major penalty proceedings against DGCA joint director general A K Sharan to the Central Vigilance Commission," said a ministry official. A major penalty could mean either a dismissal or demotion, he added. A final decision on disciplinary action would be taken by the Union Public Service Commission which appoints personnel for the aviation regulator. Sharan, a DGCA joint director general, is currently under suspension.
In two reports published on April 24 and April 27 last year, the TOI had exposed the said joint director general. In response to the TOI reports, the then director general of civil aviation, Bharat Bhushan, ordered a vigilance inquiry against Sharan. The DGCA investigations corroborated TOI report and in May Bhushan wrote to the civil aviation ministry recommending major penalties against Sharan and minor penalties against R K Khanna, who had held charge of the DGCA Chief Examination Officer when he helped Sharan's daughter.
The first charge against Sharan was that he influenced a junior DGCA officer to let his daughter, Rashmi, sit for what is called "special exams", though she was not eligible to appear for these. Sharan used his position to let her sit for special exams six times to clear three subjects. Following the TOI expose, Bhushan scrapped the practise of holding special exams.
The other charge against Sharan was that he favoured a Raipur-based flying school, called Touchwood Aviation, where his daughter underwent her flying training. Investigations revealed that Touchwood was cleared to begin flying training in August 2007 though it did not have a single aircraft or hanger or classroom. Sharan's daughter is currently employed with a low-cost airline.
No comments:
Post a Comment