New Delhi:
Amid the deepening crisis over Air India pilots' strike, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told NDTV on Tuesday that only unionised employees will be paid their salary and incentives; a decision on payments to executive pilots is still on hold.
"There will be no salary and Productivity Linked Incentives (PLI) cuts for unionised employees. However, decision on PLI cuts for executive pilots is on hold," said Praful Patel.
Praful added that the government is concerned about the strike and that the PM has been fully briefed about the situation.
The Civil Aviation Minister said that a Committee has been formed which will decide on PLI issue of pilots. He added that no decision is being thrust on executive pilots.
Patel also said that Air India is free to act against striking pilots but said that Air India should not suspend operations.
He said that Air India management is free to take decisions and that government can't keep hands of Air India management tied.
Patel added that Air India merger could have been implemented better.
Meanwhile, the government is trying a carrot and stick approach by promising to pay the August's incentives on schedule and saying that pay cuts have not been implemented but at the same time warning pilots to join by tonight or face action.
But a lot of damage is being done, half of all flights were cancelled on Tuesday which means a loss of Rs 15 crores a day for Air India. And the strike seems to be spreading.
Mumbai pilots and 58 aircraft engineers have also joined the protest.
"There will be no salary and Productivity Linked Incentives (PLI) cuts for unionised employees. However, decision on PLI cuts for executive pilots is on hold," said Praful Patel.
Praful added that the government is concerned about the strike and that the PM has been fully briefed about the situation.
The Civil Aviation Minister said that a Committee has been formed which will decide on PLI issue of pilots. He added that no decision is being thrust on executive pilots.
Patel also said that Air India is free to act against striking pilots but said that Air India should not suspend operations.
He said that Air India management is free to take decisions and that government can't keep hands of Air India management tied.
Patel added that Air India merger could have been implemented better.
Meanwhile, the government is trying a carrot and stick approach by promising to pay the August's incentives on schedule and saying that pay cuts have not been implemented but at the same time warning pilots to join by tonight or face action.
But a lot of damage is being done, half of all flights were cancelled on Tuesday which means a loss of Rs 15 crores a day for Air India. And the strike seems to be spreading.
Mumbai pilots and 58 aircraft engineers have also joined the protest.
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