headed by Joint Secretary Prashant Shukul, has been set up to have talks with the pilots.
The government has shown flexibility and accepted the demands to reinstate sacked pilots and recognise the Indian Commercial Pilots Association. But the agitating pilots are adamant that they will only join duties after their demands of pay parity and alleged corruption in the national carrier are met. The management is however keen that they should join duties immediately as the concerned committees are looking into their demands.
Earlier, in the day Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi had a meeting with Air India CMD Arvind Jadhav, Civil Aviation Secretary Nasim Zaidi and top officials to review the situation arising out of the strike. Air India, which has sacked seven pilots and suspended six others, is suffering an estimated operational loss of 26 crore rupees per day on account of the stir. The management has also decided not to process the April salaries of the agitators till further instructions.
Delhi High Court yesterday slapped contempt notices on nine office bearers of the de-recognised ICPA for disobeying its order to call off the strike. It would take up the matter again on 25th of this month.
The ailing national airline operated 15 per cent or about 40 of its 320 scheduled daily domestic flights, including 10 each from Mumbai and Delhi.