New Delhi: Union minister of state for civil aviation, JayantSinha, has said that the Air India disinvestment plan is on track and the government will be adhering to all timelines in this case.

“Our timelines are very clear and our goal is to award it (Air India) by the end of June and to have the whole transaction closed and done and the transfer of airline to the private sector by the end of this calendar year. Those are the DIPAM (Department of Investment and Public Asset Management) timelines that have been established and we are on track,” the minister said on the sidelines of the WINGS INDIA 2018 in Hyderabad. 

He pointed out that there are a number of issues that are yet to be sorted out and the ministry will require approvals from the ‘Alternative Mechanism’ that is chaired by the finance minister. “As soon as we have the go-ahead from the Alternative Mechanism, we will go for EOI…,” he added.

Speaking on the sudden resignation of Ashok GajapatiRaju as Union civil aviation minister, the MoS said the ministry ‘missed’ Raju as he was a tremendous source of inspiration, guidance and leadership. 

“We have benefited greatly from his leadership for over the last three and a half years,” he added. On being asked about the lukewarm response received by WINGS INDIA 2018, the minister said he held a different view and felt the event was “very, very successful”. He also clarified that MoCA does not intend to merge it with the biennial defence aviation event that occurs in Bengaluru.