People's Democracy

Privatisation Of Airports Unacceptable

Left Parties Make It Clear to PM

The four Left parties – CPI(M), CPI, AIFB and RSP – have made it clear to the prime minister that they will not accept privatisation of Kolkata and Chennai airports under the garb of modernization. In a letter to the prime minister they have demanded the government to come out with an authoritative policy pronouncement on this issue in view of the statements made by civil aviation minister.

The letter was signed by CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat, CPI general secretary A B Bardhan, AIFB general secretary Debabrata Biswas and RSP secretary Abani Roy.

Following is the text of the letter:

WE are surprised at the reported statement by the civil aviation minister Praful Patel quoted in The Times of India, Saturday May 20, 2006, under the caption `Patel to meet CMs for Airports revamp’. The civil aviation minister is quoted to have said: “We can’t take different routes for modernising Chennai and Kolkata airports. If we decide to follow the JV route – similar to the one taken for Delhi and Mumbai airports – for modernising Chennai, then even Kolkata will have to be developed through the same route. The meeting will finalise the route to be followed with Chennai and Kolkata.” Similar statements and briefings from the ministry of civil aviation are appearing in the media.

You will kindly recall that in course of the several rounds of the discussion we had with you and your government on the question of privatisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports, the government had categorically stated that Airports Authority of India (AAI) funds cannot be used for modernisation of Delhi and Mumbai airports as it would be required for the modernisation of the other airports. There was no talk of JV with private companies for the other airports under the AAI.  If what the civil aviation minister is stating is indeed the policy of the government, then it is clear that the government is pursuing privatisation as a matter of policy for the most profitable airports.  This is a clear departure from the stated position on privatisation as stated in the national common minimum programme.

We have to categorically point out that such a policy orientation is totally unacceptable to us. We firmly reiterate that the need for modernisation of all airports including Chennai and Kolkata and are convinced that the AAI is capable of executing these projects, and they have the technical, operational and financial capability to ensure this. Excluding the AAI from undertaking this modernisation exercise and handing over these assets to the private JV will make the profitable public sector entity sick.

We, therefore, urge you strongly to come out with an authoritative policy pronouncement of the government on the subject which is in keeping with the NCMP.