Airport privatization process: Bidders returned fearing employees protest
Mangaluru, Jan 15: Representatives of three companies who have arrived at the Mangaluru airport for spot verification on Monday as part of the Mangaluru International Airport privatization process, have returned without evaluating the airport due to protest from airport employees.
In view of the privatization of Mangaluru International Airport proposal of the central government, representatives of Indus, GMR and National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Companies visited the airport.
After getting information about this, more than 60 airport employees resorted to protest due to which the teams of those companies have returned without conducting evaluating process.
As part of privatizing process of six airports in the country including Mangaluru international airport, the companies have participated in the bidding process. The bidders could evaluate the respective airports In the beginning. So, the representatives of these three companies have visited the airport on Monday at 10 am.
But the airport employees staged the protest with a slogan “go back private parties, go back”. This protest has forced the private companies to go back.
The central government has decided to privatise Guwahati, Lucknow, Trivandrum, Hyderabad and Jaipur airports. But the All India Airport Employees Association has strongly opposed the central government’s decision to privatise the profit-making airports in the country which have all basic infrastructures.
Speaking to Varthabharathi, Mangaluru Airport Employees Association president Aravind said that “We do not have any objection about the private companies building new airports and providing basic infrastructure.
But these airports were built with the public money worth lakhs of crores and provided all basic infrastructure and making good profits and we are opposing the stand of the centre govt to privatise the profit-making public sector airports.
The decision is not good for both the public and employees. Mangaluru airport has got good response from the foreign travelers also. If the commercial activities are encouraged after privatization, it would affect the flight users as well as the employees. Condemning this, we have been protesting the central government’s decision”, he said.
“We have already submitted memorandums to the all concerned persons including the Chief Minister and all ministers against privatization process. When Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu visited the city, our delegation has met him and apprised him against the central government’s decision. We will continue our fight as per the direction of the national and state associations of the airport employees”, he clarified.
Secretary Shravan Kumar, Organizing secretary Sunil Kumar, Treasurer Shakeel and others participated in the protest.
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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
