The airline employees intensify agitation
The
Directorate-General of Civil Aviation has issued a show-cause notice to
Kingfisher Airlines, to be replied within 15 days, seeking why its permit
should not be cancelled or suspended under the provisions of Section 15(2) (b)
of Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, as the airline has failed to
establish a safe, efficient and reliable service.
“Union Minister of
Civil Aviation Shri Ajit Singh, while taking a note of the situation, has said
that there will be no compromise on safety of aircraft operations. The
government has also taken legal opinion in this regard,” the Ministry of Civil
Aviation said in a statement.
“As per Section
15(2)(b) of Schedule XI of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, the DGCA may cancel or
suspend the permit of an Airline for such period as it thinks fit, if its is
satisfied that the holder of the permit has failed to establish a safe,
efficient and reliable service,” the statement added.
The Ministry said the
Chief Executive Officer of Kingfisher Airlines had assured the DGCA to resume
operations by the October 5 but the Airline had not been able to resolve its
issues.
“They have not
approached the DGCA with any operational plan. The DGCA reviewed the current
situation of the airline on Friday, and decided to issue the show-cause notice
to the airline,” the statement added.
Lenders to release
Rs.60 cr.
Meanwhile, the
employee unrest is now spilling over to the streets. The striking employees of
the airline have intensified their agitation as the management has hardened its
stance to force employees to unconditionally call off the stir and join work.
Despite Kingfisher’s
lenders agreeing to release Rs.60 crore from an escrow account, the management
has not yet spelt out any thing regarding payment of salary, which is pending
since March.
With Rs.60 crore, two
months salary can be cleared, and the UB group is believed to be mobilising
funds to clear salary for two more months.
In Mumbai and Delhi,
protesting employees demanded immediate payment of their dues. Over 200
employees - mainly engineers, technicians and pilots - gathered at the Mumbai
airport on Friday, and shouted slogans against the management.
In Delhi, around 300
employees organised “a flag march” at Jantar Mantar to demand immediate release
of salary.
“We want all seven
months salary, but the management is not talking to us. This is inhuman to
force unpaid employees to join work. Now the management is trying to portray us
as criminals for demanding our wages. Actually who is criminal?” said an
employee.
Protesting employees
in Chennai and Bangalore refused to meet the management to conduct pointless
discussion.
While extending the
lock-out till October 12, Kingfisher Airlines in a statement, on Thursday,
stated that the illegal strike by a fraction of employees had still not been
withdrawn.ement.
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