Question : GROUND CATEGORIES UNIONS OF AIR INDIA LIMITED

(a) whether the Government has appointed returning officer for conducting secret ballot in the ground categories unions of Air India Limited during the month of April 2004;

(b) if so, whether the Government has postponed the elections twice since then;

(c) if so, the reasons therefor;

(d) by when the election process is likely to be completed;

(e) whether the directions of the returning officer regarding equal status amongst the existing unions for a free and fair elections have been implemented by the management of Air India; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor alongwith the steps initiated in this regard?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI K. CHANDRASEKHAR RAO)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b) & (c): As the management of Air India could not finalize the Voters` Lists within the stipulated time i.e. 17.9.2004 the Secret Ballot election was postponed by Returning Officer. Subsequently, the date of election fixed for 22.11.2004 was postponed by Returning Officer as the management of Air India requested to review the Voters` Lists finalized by Returning Officer by a senior officer.

(d): It is not possible at this stage to indicate any time frame by which the election process will be completed. It would depend on the cooperation of Air India Management and Trade Unions.

(e): Yes, Sir.

(f): Does not arise in view of (b) & ( c ) above.