Date:22/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/22/stories/2006082221280100.htm

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Gulf airfare hike unethical, say MPs

Frequent revision hits Kerala-bound passengers: memorandum to Manmohan

New Delhi: Members of Parliament from Kerala on Monday submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh seeking a reduction in airfare to the Gulf by Air-India and Indian, speedy construction of the Vallarpadam Transhipment Container Terminal and clearance for the Vizhinjam project.

The MPs, including Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and E. Ahamed, told Dr. Singh that frequent fare hike affected Kerala-bound passengers. The practice of the national carriers raising the fare during peak seasons such as Onam reflected an "unethical attitude" to make unreasonable profits.

The MPs contended that the majority of Indian expatriates in the Gulf belonged to the lower strata and undertook the journey to be with their families for the festivities.

They said the number of flights operated by Air-India and Indian during vacation and festival seasons was "inadequate." The Prime Minister assured them that he would look into these issues.

Another plea was that private airlines such as Jet Airways and Air Sahara be allowed to operate from the northern city of Kozhikode to the Gulf.

Pointing out that the Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for the Vallarpadam terminal project, the MPs regretted that it had not taken off for want of environmental clearance from the Government.

The Vizhinjam Deepwater International Container Transhipment Terminal project was also awaiting the Centre's clearance.

Funding

The Kerala Government had submitted to the Centre a proposal seeking a viability gap funding of about Rs. 200 crore for implementing the project.

Farm assistance

The parliamentarians sought inclusion of Idukki and Alappuzha districts in the farm assistance package announced by the Centre. It earlier announced an assistance package for Wayanad, Palakkad and Kasaragod under the Backward Districts Grant Fund.

Almost all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha members from the State, including the former Chief Minister A K Antony, Janata Dal (Secular) leader M.P. Veerendrakumar and veteran parliamentarian Varkala Radhakrishnan, were signatories to the memorandum. — PTI