(a) whether the Government has privatized the operations of Mumbai and Delhi airports;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any proposal are on the anvil to privatize more airports in the country;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) went on indefinite strike recently;
(f) if so, the details alongwith the demand of the employees of AAI; and
(g) the steps taken by the Government to settle the issues amicably?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI PRAFUL PATEL)
(a) & (b):The airports at Delhi and Mumbai have been restructured by formation of two Joint Venture Companies (JVCs) wherein Airports Authority of India (AAI) hold 26% equity and the balance 74% equity is held by private participants. For this, AAI have entered into a Operation, Management and Development Agreement (OMDA) with the JVCs. The operations of the airports have been handed over to the JVCs w.e.f. 03-05-2006.
(c): No, Sir.
(d): Does not arise.
(e) & (f): No, Sir. However, AAI`s Employees Union had served a notice to proceed on indefinite strike from 00.00 hrs of 01-05-2009 agitating against the redeployment of employees from IGI Airport, New Delhi and CSI Airport, Mumbai to other airports and establishment of AAI after expiry of the operation support period in terms of OMDA.
(g):In order to avoid the strike and for an amicable solution to address the demands of the employees the following steps were taken:
(a)A Tripartite Committee has already been constituted comprising of the representatives of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, AAI and AAI`s Empoyess Joint Forum which inter-alia have to look into the employees related issues including their job security. The Tripartite Committee in its various meetings had discussed the issues related to employees grievances and their redeployment.
(b)For redeployment of employees posted at Delhi and Mumbai airports to other airports and establishment of AAI, options were invited for their choice place of posting with guidelines issued for seniority.
(c)Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) was introduced and ex-gratia payment of 60 days for each completed year of service or balance service whichever is less with additional compensation. The scheme is made open to employees of Delhi and Mumbai airports up to 31-07-2009.
(d)The employees as per the requirement have been retained at Establishment located at Delhi and Mumbai and remaining have been redeployed as per their choice of station.
(e)Further for amicable settlement, a meeting was convened on 30-04-2009 by the Chief Labour Commissioner (Central), Ministry of Labour & Employment, New Delhi with the Union representatives of AAI.