Question : MALPRACTICES IN RECRUITMENT OF AI PILOTS

(a) whether cases of alleged malpractices in the recruitment of pilots in Air India have come to the notice of the Government;

(b) if so, the details thereof during each of the last three years and the current year;

(c) whether Air India/Government has conducted any inquiry against those found involved in malpractices in recruitment of pilots;

(d) if so, the details and the findings thereof and the action taken against the guilty persons; and

(e) the other corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?

Minister of CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI AJIT SINGH)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a), (b), (c), (d) and (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.52 TO BE ANSWERED ON

27.2.2013 REGARDING MALPRACTICES IN RECRUITMENT OF AI PILOTS

(a) & (b): Two cases of irregular appointment of pilots in Air India have been noticed during the last three years and the current year. In both cases the candidates are alleged to have been appointed in Air India without following the due procedure.

(c) & (d) : Yes Madam. Air India Vigilance has conducted inquiry in both the cases. In the first case, services of the Pilot has been terminated and disciplinary action, based on the recommendation of CVC, against three executives of Air India has been initiated by issue of Charge Sheet. The second case was regarding campus recruitment of Pilots from Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Academy (IGRUA) without following the due procedure. The investigations revealed that altering the laid down recruitment procedure, in this case, written test was conducted after conducting all other tests. Since the Competent Authority`s prior approval had been taken for changing the procedure, it was decided by Air India not to cancel the appointment. Air India has conveyed this decision to CVC.

(e) : Air India has been advised to be careful in future and adhere to the laid down rules/instructions.