Par panel asks MoCA to expedite legal process in MIAL issue

A Parliamentary panel today asked the Ministry of Civil Aviation to expedite the legal process and ensure early recovery of the interest amount related to an "ineligible expenditure" of Rs 15.21 crore from Mumbai International Airport Limited (MIAL).
The direction is part of a report by the Committee on Public Undertakings that was tabled in the Parliament today.
In the report, the panel said it was appalled to note that despite several communications issued by the Ministry between August 2010 and December 2012, MIAL reversed the "ineligible expenditure of Rs 15.21 crore" to the Passenger Service Fee (Security Component) only in February 2013.

Even at that time, MIAL -- which is a joint venture between GVK-led consortium and Airports Authority of India (AAI) -- only reversed the amount excluding the interest part, the report said.
Referring to the delay, the panel said "it speaks volumes about the ineffective monitoring by the Ministry".
"Obviously the Ministry was merely content with sending communications during the period from August 2010 to December 2012, but in effect remained a mute spectator to the callous and indifferent attitude of MIAL during this period," it noted.

The committee said that detailed account of reasons for inordinate delay in compliance of MIAL to the Ministry's direction for revision of the ineligible expenditure of Rs 15.21 crore along with interest be furnished to it at the earliest.

"Now, when the matter is sub-judice, the committee desire that all out efforts be made by MoCA to get the legal process expedited and to ensure early recovery of interest amount," it added.
The report pertains to 'unauthorised withdrawal from the escrow account held in a fiduciary capacity on behalf of the government by MIAL'.