At a time when the aviation sector is going through a critical phase, experts have welcomed the Modi government바카라s decision to appoint a former bureaucrat, Hardeep Singh Puri, as Civil Aviation Minister. However, they feel that Puri should not be given charge of additional ministries.
Besides Civil Aviation, Puri is also Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs 바카라 that he was holding in the earlier Modi dispensation -- and Minister of State in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
Ajay Jasra, former corporate communication head of IndiGo, told Outlook, 바카라Keeping in mind the dismal conditions of the civil aviation sector, it deserves a dedicated minister, rather than a state minister with multi portfolios.바카라
At present, the aviation sector is facing various financial challenges. The grounding of India바카라s premier airlines Jet Airways has rendered over 14,000 people jobless. Last year, the government attempted to sell off its debt-laden carrier Air India but it didn바카라t get any buyer.
The Modi government바카라s pet scheme for regional connectivity, UDAN, has been largely unsuccessful due to financial and regulatory challenges. The cut throat challenge has forced airlines to offer seats at below their operation cost, which is not a healthy business model in the long run.
Jitender Bhargava, former Executive Director, Air India, agrees with Jasra and says that the aviation sector requires a person who is wholly dedicated.
바카라I hope his multiple portfolios are for a short time till the cabinet is further expanded,바카라 Bhargava told Outlook.
Aviation veteran and founder of Air Passengers Association of India (APAI) D Sudhakara Reddy, is of the view that Puri바카라s other responsibilities are only a matter of few weeks as those will be allocated to National Democratic Alliance (NDA) partners.
바카라With his vast experience in the Indian Foreign Service (IFS), he will be able to make decisions in a quick and an effective manner,바카라 says Reddy.
Puri, who belongs to the 1974 batch of IFS officers, served as the Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations from 2009 to 2013
