AAI Staff start Relay Hunger Strike against Centre’s PPP Proposal
Mangaluru: Members of Airports Authority Union, Mangaluru, during the launch of their relay hunger strike at the international airport in Mangaluru on Monday. Members of Airports Authority Union, Mangaluru, commenced their three-day relay hunger strike at the international airport here in protest against the Union government’s move to introduce public-private partnership for six Airports Authority of India-managed airports, including the one here.
In their introductory speech, union’s branch president Arvind Gaonkar and secretary Shravan Kumar castigated the Union government for the move and said that it was surprising the government is privatising a body that was under profit. AAI has been performing exceedingly well, pays dividend to the government and is elevated as a Mini Ratna, the union said. Later, Kasargod MP P. Karunakaran visited the striking members and assured them of taking up the issue in Parliament.
In a release, union’s national general secretary Balraj Singh Ahlawat said that the union was compelled to resort to the relay hunger strike and mass casual leave following the Union government’s unilateral decision. AAI, Mr. Ahlawat said, is working as per an Act of Parliament and as per the parameters of a memorandum of understanding with the Union government.
AAI has invested substantial public funds in developing airports across the country, including the six proposed for PPP, he noted.