Govt extends support to AI but says no blank cheque

New Delhi, June 24 (PTI) Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Wednesday assured Air India that the government would
put its entire weight behind it but with a condition that
airline should undertake a full restructuring and shape up by
becoming leaner and trimmer.

Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who met Singh
Wednesday and put forward a case for government bailout, said
Air India has been asked to give its restructuring plans at
the earliest before a committee of secretaries, headed by the
Cabinet Secretary.

"The Prime Minister has said that the entire weight of
the government is behind Air India. It is a national carrier
and it is our pride. But there is conditionality that Air
India must put its best foot forward. The employees must
realise that there is a problem and it is a cumulative
problem," Patel said.

He said that Air India would require a lot
restructuring from within both organizationally, financially
and manpower wise. Until and unless serious steps are taken to
improve the functioning and the financial viability, it would
be difficult for the government to continue supporting the
airliner.

The minister said no figures have been given for the
bailout and all media reports in this regard were hypothetical
and may be based on some sectional views of departments. But
he also said bailout did not mean endless cheques being
written by government in support of Air India. PTI VSC
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