Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation K C Venugopal has said that a special package would be launched for the non-resident Indians who avail the amnesty offer of the UAE Government. The special package will come into effect on January 15. He was speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a workshop for the Air India Express cabin crew and other employees here on Sunday.
He added that the government has received around 700 applications in this regard. The Minister also said that an Air India special committee has been appointed to resolve the issues of the Hajj and Umrah pilgrims.
“The committee has been asked to study the issues related to the air fare hike and increase in the number of seats and to furnish a report within two weeks. The government is also considering a special schedule for the Umrah pilgrims. A decision on the matter would be taken before the next Umrah season,” Venugopal said.
To a query on the issues being raised by overseas Indians about Air India, the Minister said that fare hike during peak seasons and schedule cancellations without prior intimation would be solved soon. “The government has taken a decision to detach Air India Express from Air India and within five years there will be a final solution for all the issues being faced by the NRI segment. Steps have already been taken to shift the Air India headquarters to Kochi and the work is in progress. Afterwards, important decisions, including route schedule finalisation, would be taken from here. A permanent CEO will be appointed and the notification for the same would be published within two days,” he added.
The workshop was organised as a continuation of the training program given by In-flight Services Staff College. National Book Trust chairman Sethu was also present.