Ajit Singh promises uniform pay scale for Air India and Indian Airlines pilots

New Delhi, June 1 (ANI): Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh on Friday announced a new pay and career progression norms for employees of erstwhile Indian Airlines and Air India to ensure parity in the merged national carrier.

Presenting the Justice CS Dharmadhikari Committee report on the problems arising out of the merger of national carriers, Singh said after the committee's recommendations are implemented, pay scales, work hours, promotions for Air India and Indian Airlines will be similar.

"The Committee will also look into anomalies in pay scales and a uniform policy on working hours. The new promotions policy will give fair chance to pilots from Indian Airlines and Air India in terms of career progression," he added.

As per the report, the employees' pay scale will be linked to the profits of the airlines and cross training of pilots pill be allowed.

He further said: "Basic pay of junior employees to be at par with senior employees. Process of promotion to be done after review of seniority."

"There will be unified cadre at every level, resources will include uniforms, canteen facilities etc. Implementation and anomaly committee to be formed. Committee to complete task of review mapping, oversee seniority, address employees' issues," he added.

The Dharmadhikari Committee, which submitted its report on January 31 has made recommendations on crucial issues like principles of integration across various cadres, seniority and principles of pay rationalisation of the two erstwhile state-run airlines, issues that have been at the centre of the strike called by the Air India pilots.

The ongoing pilots' agitation has resulted in cancellation of several flights of the ailing airline, including many international ones, causing passenger inconvenience and a loss of over Rs.200 crore to the exchequer.

About 500 Air India pilots who fly international routes have been demanding that their colleagues from Indian Airlines should not be trained to fly Dreamliners, as they believe it may hurt the career prospects of original Air India staff.

Both companies were merged in 2007, but there have been problems with the integration since then. A central auditor also criticized Air India's purchase of Dreamliners last year for "imposing an undue long-term financial burden". (ANI)