Private airlines have threatened to suspend operations on August 18 if the govt did not give in to their demand for a bailout package of lower fuel and airport taxes - These are the same guys who talk about capitalism and need for Government to stay away from business. They are never tired of leaving the market to market forces. All this when they were making potfulls of cash. At the first sign of loss, they run to the government to bail them out. Any bail out package has to come from tax payers money. Why should we be made to pay for their inefficiencies. As such, these private carriers have not made payment for the Aviation Fule to the Oil PSU's and have run up huge credit. The funniest thing is that Vijay Mallya has offered equity stake to the Government. That is the last thing we want. Only 2% of India's population use air transport. We can jolly well leave them to market forces. If they are not able to be competitive, then they can sell their companies. There are always others who are ready to come up with a workable model. Read Capt. Gopinathans take on this strike. It is worth reading.
Air India asks for Rs 20,000 crore bail out - Why dont they turn to Buta Singh, the Chairman of SC/ST commission. His son Sweety Singh was caught red handed accepting Rs 1 crore bribe. I am sure Buta can shell out a few thousand crores. (Is there more to meet the eye on the arrest? Buta has a consitutional post from which he can be ejected only by an indictment by Supreme Court. It is no secret that Buta rebelled against Sonia Gandhi and contested as an independant in the recent elections. We know what happens when you cross the Super PM. But I am holding no brief for Butas of this world. They are pure unadulterated Cancer that gnaws at our nation bit by bit)
In the first high-level visit from India since the attacks, foreign minister S M Krishna leaves on Aug 6 to take stock of the problems faced by Indian students - Isn't it really prompt? Two full months after the attacks, Foreign Minister plans to visit Australia. And he will utter the necessary platitudes, have couple of good dinners and return. Spineless!!
