Thaindian News

New Delhi, April 4 (IANS) The Supreme Court Monday was unsparing in its criticism of the “lord and master” government for its backing of the national air carrier, which is “lowest” in efficiency and has the “worst reputation”.

The apex court bench of Justice R.V. Raveendran and Justice A.K. Patnaik said this in the course of hearing by private air carriers challenging the government’s decision asking them to enter into a memorandum of understanding providing for the handing of ground handling facilities by the national carrier.

“The (private) air carriers which are so competent, they (government) want to bring them to the level of incompetence,” the court said.

As Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium told the court that “We have advised all the operators. They have to come under MoU,” the court remarked “you (national carrier) are a competitive service, you are the lowest (in efficiency).”

When the solicitor general said that ground handling facilities was a specialised service, the court said that being a regulator you have a right to interfere. “What is going on smoothly, you want to disturb even that.”

Coming down heavily on the national carrier, the court said, “You are going to give it to a carrier which has the worst reputation. We know which air carrier waits for VIPs (beyond their departure time).”

“You are taking away (ground handling operation) from and giving it to joint venture company. (It is like) ruining other operators to the level of inefficiency.” “It is only to profit somebody,” the court observed.

“You are a regulator. Good governance and bad governance is in your domain. But sometimes in the name of good governance you bring bad governance,” the court said.

The court asked that if bringing ground handling facilities under the national air carrier was on the consideration of security, then why was it being confined to four international airports and not being extended to all.

Appearing for the private air carriers, senior counsel Mukul Rohtagi said their efficiency level was way ahead of the national carrier and the new arrangement would make their service inefficient. He said that security was just a ploy to take away their business and give it to a JV company having international partners.

The court has given three weeks’ time to the government and private operators to file their counters and replies and listed the mater for April 25 for further hearing.