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Greenfield airports to get `independent status'

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI April 29. Continuing with its policy of privatisation, the Union Cabinet today decided to give ``independent status'' to greenfield airports set up with majority private sector participation, except for air traffic control and security.

Briefing reporters, the Government spokesperson said a Bill in this regard would be introduced in Parliament. The legislation would also facilitate the implementation of the financial packages proposed for greenfield airports in last year's Budget. The Bill would replace the one that was introduced in the Lok Sabha in November 2000 and would incorporate the suggestions made by the Department-related Standing Committee of Parliament. Two greenfield airports are under construction at Hyderabad and Bangalore with facilities such as shopping malls, hotels and cinema halls. A similar airport is functioning at Kochi.

Chaired by the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the Cabinet meeting also approved amendments to the Companies Act to reform and further liberalise the corporate sector. In this regard, a fresh Bill incorporating the necessary changes would be introduced during the current session of Parliament after withdrawing the Bill introduced by the United Front Government in 1997.

Official sources said the fresh Bill had become necessary as many of the provisions in the earlier one had become redundant.

Ambedkar memorial

The Cabinet also decided to set up a national memorial for the father of the Constitution, B.R. Ambedkar, at 26, Alipur Road here where he breathed his last. As a first step, it was decided to acquire the land and property at the site. The memorial would be build as per the recommendations made by the Ambedkar Centenary Celebrations Committee, the spokesperson added.

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