NEW DELHI: Civil Aviation Minister Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju, who assumed office on Thursday, said all major decisions taken by the previous UPA Government in the aviation sector would be reviewed by the NDA Government.
However, he ruled out probing the UPA decisions, saying that “there is no point in dissecting or doing a post-mortem.”
Raju who was briefed by the Civil Aviation officials after taking charge said he would discuss the Air India situation with the Prime Minister and the government would analyse the losses.
He also argued that PSUs should survive and there was a need to review their performance to see that they maintained profitability. On Air India Privatisation, he said “he was not close to any idea,” but said that the Modi-led government would have to look at the total picture.
On the controversial decisions taken during the UPA regime, Raju said: “We won’t protect anyone neither we will persecute anyone.” Pointing out the priority areas, Raju said connectivity would be on top of their agenda. He said operationalisation was a key concern and an immediate analysis of the crisis in aviation sector was required, to take steps towards creating level playing fields for all airlines.
Referring to the role of foreign players, he said: “We have to be of use to them without being detrimental to us (Indian operators)”.
“All possible efforts would be taken towards shaping a viable and workable aviation policy,” he added.
On the issue of airport privatisation, the Civil Aviation Minister said the government would examine how the airports were handed over to private players after completion. He also said that the government would look into renaming domestic terminal of Hyderabad with the name N T Rama Rao.
On the issue of security exemption (frisking) to Robert Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Civil Aviation Minister Raju said: “Security should be meaningful and not ornamental. The Home Ministry looks into the threat for individuals, they will say what needs to be done. This is not for Vadra, but if one asks me, all citizens need to be checked,” Raju added.