It is really surprising. On the one hand Air India is in dire straits even for paying salaries to its staff. The Air India unions have decided to go on strike if the pending salaries are not paid. The company has been made in to loss by the anti PSU policy of the government, especially the interference by the former Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel.

And yesterday to a question in the Parliament, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh has stated that the government is to pay an arrear of Rs. 574.67 crore to the Air India as outstanding amount. Prime ministers office owes 200.40 crores, Defence Rs. 13-56 crore etc.  This is, simply to say, non-sense. The Government should immediately pay its outstanding dues to the Air india.