Mangaluru, Dec 11: The three-day hunger strike launched by the members of Airports Authority Union at the Mangaluru International Airport here in protest against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Union government’s move to introduce public-private partnership for six airports entered second day today.
Mangaluru Airport too is included in the Centre’s proposal.
Speaking on the occasion, Arvind Gaonkar, the local branch president of the union and Shravan Kumar, the secretary, castigated the Union government for the move and said that it was surprising the government is privatising a body that was under profit.
AAI has been performing exceedingly well, pays dividend to the government and is elevated as a Mini Ratna, the union said.
On Monday, the first day of the protest, Kasargod MP P Karunakaran visited the agitating members and assured them of taking up the issue in Parliament.
In a release, union’s national general secretary Balraj Singh Ahlawat said that the union was compelled to resort to the relay hunger strike and mass casual leave following the Union government’s unilateral decision.
AAI, Mr. Ahlawat said, is working as per an Act of Parliament and as per the parameters of a memorandum of understanding with the Union government.
AAI has invested substantial public funds in developing airports across the country, including the six proposed for PPP, he noted.
Comments
Add new comment