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Govt keen on full-time MD for Air India

Ashwini Phadnis

NEW DELHI, Nov. 29.

WITH the disinvestment of Air India (AI) having been put on hold, the Government is keen to appoint a full-time Managing Director for the airline.

The administrative ministry which is the Ministry of Civil Aviation wants to initiate the process of appointing chiefs for all the commercial organisations under its administrative control in the shortest possible time, according to senior Government off icials.

The search for a new Managing Director for Air India would begin shortly, the officials said while adding that the intention was to look for suitable candidates not only from the public but also the private sector. A search committee is expected to under take this exercise.

``The problem is that given the work conditions in the Government it may be difficult to get some one from the private sector. Besides, with disinvestment proposed for the two airlines, there may not be many takers for the job in the private sector. It i s still to early to say anything except that the Government is keen to see a full-time MD for the airline,'' a senior Government official said.

Senior officials of the Ministry of Civil Aviation had indicated that the process of appointing a a new full-time Managing Director for Air India will be kicked off once Mr Mascarenhas retires on November 30.

Officials pointed out that attempts will also be made to ensure that the Airport Authority of India (AAI), whose head is due to retire shortly does not remain headless for too long.

Meanwhile, Ministry sources today said that Mr J.N. Gogoi is to take over the reins of Air India when Mr Michael Mascarenhas attains superannunation on November 30.

Mr Gogoi was appointed officiating Managing Director of Air India in May this year when Mr Mascarenhas was suspended. However, Mr Gogoi gave up the charge when Mr Mascarenhas assumed charge today after being exonerated of the charges.