Question : AIR INDIA STAFF

(a) whether the Government is aware that during an internal audit, as many as 400 employees including 50 pilots and 200 cabin crew of Air India (AI) have been found missing from work for a very long period but still drawing their salaries from Air India;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has initiated any action against these employees and the officers who were supposed to report their absence to the concerned authorities;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(e) the action taken by the Government to recover the dues from these employees which were paid to them during the unauthorised absence from duty?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (SHRI K. C. VENUGOPAL)

(a) and (b): A total of 310 employees including 127 Cabin Crew and 28 Pilots were on unauthorized absence for varying periods of time.

(c), (d) and (e): Disciplinary action has been initiated against all such employees who were found unauthorisedly absent. Further, as Air India had stopped payment of salaries and all other allowances to such employees from the date of unauthorized absence from the duty, recovery of dues from such employees does not arise.