SC raps civil aviation ministry for avoiding uneconomic air routes

Chief Justice T S Thakur asked the ministry to amend the guidelines to benefit uneconomic routes like Shimla and the northeast

The Supreme Court today gave one last chance to the civil aviation ministry to amend the guidelines to benefit uneconomic routes like Shimla and the northeast. Air India had moved the court against a ruling of the Himachal Pradesh high court which had asked it to provide adequate air service to the state capital.

The appeal was heard several times and the bench presided over by Chief Justice T S Thakur was criticising the attitude of the ministry which bestowed on airlines economic routes like those touching Mumbai or Bengaluru and neglected uneconomic routes. The court today threatened to appoint an expert committee to examine the guidelines which enabled the airlines to pick and choose economic routes to the distress of the smaller towns.

A committee will bring out "many skeletons" in the cupboard of the ministry and the official carrier, the judge remarked and added that the time has come to call the bluff. The present guidelines are not "sacrosanct" and they could be amended. "Is it not part of your guidelines to serve the people in hilly areas who suffer?" he judge asked.

Additional Solicitor General P S Patwalia pleaded that there was nothing to hide in this matter and the existing guidelines are being followed. He added that appointment of a committee will only prolong litigation. Counsel promised the court that he would convey its views to the concerned authorities and come back within a week.

 

The chief justice remarked that the government was adopting "dilly-dallying tactics" all the time and seeking adjournments. The government sought a week to respond to the court's questions.