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Balancing imperatives

That the two-day “non-cooperation movement” by employees of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been called off after assurances that their concerns would be met, has brought a sense of relief to all concerned — the Civil Aviation Ministry, the trade union and, most importantly, air passengers. The stand-off was quickly resolved, thanks to the skills of those at the helm of the ministry, notably Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who has la unched an ambitious airport modernisation programme, and also to the patience and understanding shown by the trade union leaders and airport employees. The airport employees who have been legitimately apprehensive about the impact of the new modernisation programme on their jobs showed a remarkable willingness to heed the government’s plea. The flashpoint for this latest strike was the virtual “closure” of the old Hyderabad airport at Begampet. Under the terms of a 2004 agreement with the private consortia developing the greenfield airports in Hyderabad and Bangalore, the Government of India had agreed to stop all commercial operations at the old airports as and when the new ones became operational. While the Shamshabad airport near Hyderabad becomes commercially operational in the next few days, the Devanahalli airport near Bangalore will have to wait till after May 10 to commence regular operations.

Mr. Patel has apparently put together a compromise formula that has enabled him to provide certain assurances to the trade unions without reneging on the agreement with the private developers. He has given the employees three key assurances. First, no airport is to be closed down without consulting them. Secondly, the modernisation of 35 non-metro airports would be carried out with the full involvement of the AAI workers. Finally, the Minister has promised to “re-examine” the Concession Agreement of 2004, to identify any shortcomings. Whether there is enough scope for Mr. Patel or his ministry to rework the terms of the 2004 agreement is another issue. The tricky issue to be got around while evolving a solution would be the issue of ensuring minimum returns to the private investors who are bringing in some Rs.2,500 crore to develop modern facilities in these greenfield airports. The Centre will find its skills sorely tested in balancing the imperative of upgrading the country’s airport network with the basic obligation to protect the interests of the employees. But the best way forward appears to be to ensure that as the government presses ahead with its modernisation programme, the employees are taken into confidence at every stage.

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